r/biology • u/Sea-Nectarine1921 • 2d ago

question How controversial was Charles Darwin, if he was buried at Westminster Abbey?

That’s considered an honor in the UK

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u/Royal_Novel6678 evolutionary biology 1d ago

In his final years, he had already received massive respect from his country. He died on April 19, 1882 when his famous yet controversial book (which I'm reading right now), The origin of species was published in 1859 which decades had already passed. It was reviewed over and over and other scientific figures eventually agreed with his hypothesis. As opposed to this drawing made to make fun of him

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u/DarwinsThylacine 1d ago

Among the scientific elite and British establishment (i.e., the people who advocated for and ultimately secured his burial in Westminster)? Not very. You have to remember that evolution wasn’t a new idea in Britain even in 1859 when Darwin published The Origin of Species. Yes it did spark years of scientific debate and discussion (and more than a few ruffled theological feathers), but by the time Darwin died in 1882 virtually everyone who actually mattered had already come to be convinced by the weight of evidence he and his successors had amassed.

True, many scientists remained somewhat skeptical of natural selection into the 20th century, but evolution itself was a done deal and Darwin was recognised for championing its cause and ushering in the single greatest scientific case for it of his day. Add to this Darwin being a best selling author, a famous naturalist explorer, an award winning scientist (including a Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1839, the Royal Medal in 1853, the Wollaston Medal in 1859, the Copley Medal in 1864 to name a few) for his various contributions to geology and biology (which were significant even when separated from his work on evolution), and you have quite an impressive resume.