Society

[Audio] WKMS Documentary "I Am John Scopes"

WKMS | By Matt Markgraf,

Todd Hatton

Published July 20, 2015 at 12:05 PM CDT

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John T. Scopes in 1925.

(Photo courtesy of John Scopes, Jr.)

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The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes was a transformative event in the ongoing debate between evolutionary science and creationism. The trial broadened the sometimes contentious national conversation about them.

Todd Hatton, WKMS

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The interior of the courtroom where the 1925 Scopes Trial took place.

Todd Hatton, WKMS

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A 1935 Scopes family portrait. From left: John, Jr.; John, Sr.; and Mildred.

(From the collection of Todd Hatton)

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The City of Dayton marked the premier of Inherit the Wind with a “John T. Scopes Day.” The festivities included a parade and a ceremony where Scopes received this key to the city. ";s:

(Courtesy of John T. Scopes, Jr.)

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On April 1st, 1970, John Scopes gave a lecture at Nashville's Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt Univ.). Here he speaks with TN state legislators Harold Bradley (center) and Charles Galbreath (right), who were key in repealing the 1925 Butler Act.

(From the collection of Todd Hatton)

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John Thomas Scopes died on Oct. 21, 1970 and was laid to rest days later in Paducah’s Oak Grove Cemetery in a plot next to his parents. His wife Mildred joined him December 1, 1990. ";

Todd Hatton, WKMS

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John T. Scopes in 1925.

(Photo courtesy of John Scopes, Jr.)

What makes a person voluntarily step into the middle of one of the most controversial and contentious issues of modern times? And what makes them voluntarily step back out?

Western Kentucky native John Thomas Scopes volunteered to be the defendant in a much-ballyhooed trial testing a law he opposed, a law banning the teaching of human evolution in Tennessee. He stood on principle in an intense spotlight... and when the trial was over, he stepped back out, determined to live his own life. But, history was not finished with him just yet.

The new WKMS News documentary, I Am John Scopes, unfolds the life of this remarkable and private man using archival interviews, and conversations with Scopes’ friends and family as well as with those who’ve studied the 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial.” Together they portray a complex person who always seemed to step up when history found him in the right place at the right time.

This latest entry from the award-winning WKMS News department shows that John Scopes still matters, as the issues his name is linked with still spark debate today.

The WKMS News documentary "I Am John Scopes" was broadcast Friday, July 31st, at noon and Sunday, August 2 at 9 am

"What is Evolution?" by Stated Clearly

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In addition to the Scopes Trial, the place of evolution and creationism or intelligent design has been litigated for almost five decades. You can find a list of these cases here at the website for the National Center for Science Education. They also have a comprehensive list of "academic freedom" bills in the various state legislatures.

The NCSE'swebsite has many more resources and information for anyone interested in the promotion of science education in America.