lunar society hosts event focusing on the history of evolution

Members and guests heard about the historical development of evolutionary ideas, and the role the Society had played in creating these ideas ‘Well Met by Moonlight’.

Professor Jeremy Pritchard, Professor of Life Sciences Education in the School of Biosciences at The University of Birmingham, gave a talk outlining the key points of biological evolutionary theory.

He examined the historical development of these points from the ancient Greeks through the Middle Ages, picking up why and where some of these ideas became contentious.

Those present were then able to ask questions on the subject, which was lively and thought provoking.

Lunar Society Chair, Clive Stone DL, FTLS said: “The theory of evolution did not spring fully formed from Charles Darwin’s mind in 1859 when he published ‘On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection’. The Lunar Society of Birmingham played a pivotal role in the development of evolutionary ideas before this. This was a fascinating talk, which considered how evolutionary ideas moved through the lens of the Lunar Society and provided the foundations of modern evolutionary science.”

Our thanks to the University of Birmingham for hosting and sponsoring this event.