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Beyond the Battleground: T.H. Huxley’s Complex Vision of Science and Religion in Victorian Britain

Citation

Kottom, Luke (2025) Beyond the Battleground: T.H. Huxley’s Complex Vision of Science and Religion in Victorian Britain. Other, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/qbzf-dn08. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechThesis:06302025-171905684

Abstract

[Introduction] The Victorian Era’s Scientific and Religious Tensions.

The Victorian era stood as an important moment in the historical relationship between scientific inquiry and religious beliefs. Bernard Lightman, a Canadian historian, professor and author of Victorian Sciences and Religions: Discordant Harmonies, highlighted the importance of this period, writing, “If there is any period in the post-Newtonian age that deserves to be seen as an arena of societal warfare between science and religion, surely the Victorian period is a strong candidate.” For example, Charles Darwin’s momentous 1859 publication of On the Origin of Species in this era remains one of the main catalysts in the conflict between science and religion. Darwin’s publication on evolutionary theory brought attention to major inconsistencies between religious belief and scientific fact. These inconsistencies sparked many heated debates regarding the validity of previously held theological views. Yet, to characterize this era as simply a battleground between science and religion simplifies the views that many Victorian intellectuals held regarding these matters. Thomas Henry (T.H.) Huxley, known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” and the father of agnosticism, arose as one of the key figures who embodied the complex intellectual views regarding the relationship between religion and science in the Victorian era.

Item Type:Thesis (Other)
Subject Keywords:Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize; Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize in History; Hixon Writing Center
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Humanities and Social Sciences
Major Option:History
Awards:Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize, 2025.
Thesis Availability:Restricted to Caltech community only
Research Advisor(s):
  • Wey-Gomez, Nicolas
Group:Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize, Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize - History, Hixon Writing Center
Thesis Committee:
  • None, None
Defense Date:2025
Record Number:CaltechThesis:06302025-171905684
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechThesis:06302025-171905684
DOI:10.7907/qbzf-dn08
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:17505
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Joanna Poon
Deposited On:30 Jun 2025 23:42
Last Modified:30 Jun 2025 23:42

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