Thomas Henry Huxley was a renowned English biologist who rose to
prominence in the 19th century. Born in a poor family, his father could
not afford to send him to school. So, he began to educate himself. He
excelled in science as he was blessed with an open mind and free
thinking. He was recognized for his contribution and honored by the
Royal Society when he was only twenty six years old. He was unwilling to
believe the Biblical theory of creation and instead he supported
Darwin’s theory of Evolution. His contribution to the study of marine
biology, geology and the study of invertebrates, based on research and
reason, is invaluable. He made biology a discipline in the universities,
elevated the status of the School of mines and zoology and brought the
issue of adult education to the fore. For
his services to scientific learning, he was conferred honorary degrees
and titles in many European countries. He will always be remembered as
one of the pioneers of scientific thought.
Major Works
- In his famous essay, ‘On the Physical Basis of Life’, 1869, Huxley insisted that life and even thought were at bottom of molecular phenomena. He invented the word ‘agnostic’ to express his theological position.
- In 1893, his ‘Collected Essays’ was published in nine volumes including, ‘Method and Results’, ‘Darwiniana’, ‘Science and Education’, ‘Science and Hebrew Tradition and Christian Tradition’, and ‘Evolution and Ethics and Other Essays’.Awards & Achievements
- A Fellow of the Royal Society, he was awarded the Royal Medal in 1852, the youngest to receive such a recognition.
- Between 1876 and 1894, he was awarded the Copley Medal, the Darwin Medal, the Geological Society’s Wollaston Medal, and the Linnean Medal for the study and dissemination of taxonomy and natural history.
- He was conferred with doctorates and awards for his public services and appointed the Privy Councilor in 1892, while the King of Sweden made him a Knight of the Order of the Polar Star.
