Historical Marker

Grave of John T. Scopes

Historical marker location:

Paducah, Kentucky

( In front of Oak Grove Cem., Park Ave., Paducah)

Here is buried the man who, at age 24, taught Darwin's theory of evolution to a Dayton, Tennessee, biology class. The Paducah native and University of Kentucky graduate violated a Tennessee law forbidding the teaching of evolution. This test case, tried in Dayton, gained international attention. Popular play, Inherit the Wind, is based on the famous Scopes trial.

Reverse

Scopes "Monkey Trial" - The July 1925 trial of John T. Scopes had at issue academic freedom, separation of church and state, and reconciling of science and religion. Scopes' defender was Clarence Darrow; his prosecutor, William Jennings Bryan. Scopes was convicted and fined $100. Later worked as geologist in S. America and La. Law he violated was repealed in 1967. Scopes died, 1970.