Thomas Henry Huxley was a pioneering biologist and educator. Why
does history remember him as ‘Darwin’s bulldog’? Thomas Huxley
(1825-1895) Thomas Henry Huxley was one of the intellectual
giants of the nineteenth century. Largely self-taught, he rose
from humble beginnings to become a celebrated biologist,
teacher, and promoter of science. Of all his achievements, he is
best remembered for his spirited defence of Charles Darwin’s
theory of evolution by natural selection. His staunch support
has since earned him the nickname ‘Darwin’s bulldog’. Thomas
Huxley was born in London in 1825, the son of an impoverished
maths teacher. His intelligence and curiosity were evident from
a young age. Despite spending only two years at school, he
taught himself science, history, philosophy and German by
reading books. Huxley began a medical apprenticeship in 1840.
Aged 21, he signed on as assistant surgeon on the HMS
Rattlesnake, a Royal Navy ship assigned to chart the seas around
Australia and New Guinea. During the voyage