Thomas Henry Huxley FRS, (1825-1895) was a biologist, best known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his advocacy of Charles Darwin's
theory of evolution.
Huxley's famous 1860 debate with the Lord Bishop of Oxford, Samuel Wilberforce, was a key moment in the wider acceptance of
evolution, and in his own career. Wilberforce was coached by Richard Owen, against whom Huxley also debated on whether man
was closely related to apes. Huxley was slow to accept some of Darwin's ideas, such as gradualism, and was undecided about
natural selection, but despite this he was wholehearted in his public support of Darwin. He was instrumental in developing
scientific education in Britain, and fought against the more extreme versions of religious tradition.
I admire Dr George Aldridge George's chutzpah in seeking Huxley's review, but can only sympathise with the great man who must
have received hundreds of similar letters from amateur evolutionists such as Dr George (not that the subject of GA George's
work is known or recorded). George's name was taken by Thomas Hardy for 'Mr. Aldritch', the Casterbridge surgeon, in Far From
The Madding Crowd .