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Schoolteacher John Thomas Scopes, 24, of Dayton, Tenn., stands before Judge Raulston just before he was found guilty of teaching evolution and fined $100 on July 21, 1925, at the end of the Scopes Monkey Trial held at the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton.
Schoolteacher John Thomas Scopes, 24, of Dayton, Tenn., stands before Judge Raulston just before he was found guilty of teaching evolution and fined $100 on July 21, 1925, at the end of the Scopes Monkey Trial held at the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton.
John Scopes, a science teacher and football coach, in Dayton, in 1925. Scopes vowed “to oppose this law in any way I can.”
High school student Howard Morgan, 14, sits on the witness stand, center, and testifies against his teacher, John Scopes, who the boy said taught the theory of evolution in class in July 1925. After the trial, Scopes admitted he probably did not teach evolution in the classroom, but that he believed in it, so he agreed to be the defendant in the trial. It was reported that the defense team had coached the children on what to say in court.
High school student Howard Morgan, 14, sits on the witness stand, center, and testifies against his teacher, John Scopes, who the boy said taught the theory of evolution in class in July 1925. After the trial, Scopes admitted he probably did not teach evolution in the classroom, but that he believed in it, so he agreed to be the defendant in the trial. It was reported that the defense team had coached the children on what to say in court.
Clarence Darrow, left, and William Jennings Bryan at the Rhea County Courthouse during the Scopes trial in July 1925. The packed courthouse was said to be so warm that the judge moved the whole courtroom outside for a one-day reprieve.
Clarence Darrow, left, and William Jennings Bryan at the Rhea County Courthouse during the Scopes trial in July 1925. The packed courthouse was said to be so warm that the judge moved the whole courtroom outside for a one-day reprieve.
The defense for John Scopes prepares experts statements, in 1925. From left are lawyers Clarence Darrow, Arthur Garfield Hays, Dudley Field Malone, local businessman and trial organizer George Rappleyea, lawyer John Randolph Neal Jr., and a stenographer.
The defense for John Scopes prepares experts statements, in 1925. From left are lawyers Clarence Darrow, Arthur Garfield Hays, Dudley Field Malone, local businessman and trial organizer George Rappleyea, lawyer John Randolph Neal Jr., and a stenographer.
Well-known attorneys Dudley Field Malone, left, and Clarence Darrow, right, flank the defendant, John Scopes, in 1925 in Dayton, Tenn.
Well-known attorneys Dudley Field Malone, left, and Clarence Darrow, right, flank the defendant, John Scopes, in 1925 in Dayton, Tenn.
Famous orator and three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, center in bow tie, fought against evolution being taught in schools at Dayton in 1925.
Famous orator and three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, center in bow tie, fought against evolution being taught in schools at Dayton in 1925.
The Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton in July 1925. The Scopes Monkey Trial started there on July 10, 1925, and ended on July 21, 1925.
The Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton in July 1925. The Scopes Monkey Trial started there on July 10, 1925, and ended on July 21, 1925.
Scientists, lawyers and supporters of John Scopes assemble on the steps of the “defense mansion” just outside Dayton, Tenn., in 1925. The scientists did not get a chance to testify at the trial. The “defense mansion” was a Victorian house where the defense team and witnesses stayed during the trial.
Rev. T. Martin during the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. The crowds that surrounded the trial were said to be full of preachers, beggars, pamphleteers and blind singers from a “Holy Roller” camp, along with judges, lawyers and newspapermen. The Tribune described it like this: “as motley a crowd gathered as can be imagined.”
Judge John T. Raulston in Dayton, Tenn. Raulston opened the trial on July 10 with a prayer from a local Methodist minister. The judge also cited passages from the Bible during the trial.
Judge John T. Raulston in Dayton, Tenn. Raulston opened the trial on July 10 with a prayer from a local Methodist minister. The judge also cited passages from the Bible during the trial.
The jury reads a guilty verdict against John Scopes on July 21, 1925. According to Tribune articles at the time, the jury was “made up chiefly of hardshell Baptists and Southern Methodist farmers of middle age who have extremely hazy ideas about evolution but very firm beliefs as to the validity of the Bible in all things.” It took the jury all of nine minutes to find the defendant guilty.
Clarence Darrow, left, and William Jennings Bryan at the courthouse in July 1925. The trial set Modernists, who said the theory of evolution was not inconsistent with religion, against Fundamentalists, who said the word of God and the Bible took priority over human knowledge. The Scopes trial turned out to be one of the most sensational cases in 20th-century America.
Clarence Darrow, left, and William Jennings Bryan at the courthouse in July 1925. The trial set Modernists, who said the theory of evolution was not inconsistent with religion, against Fundamentalists, who said the word of God and the Bible took priority over human knowledge. The Scopes trial turned out to be one of the most sensational cases in 20th-century America.
William Jennings Bryan, from left, Judge Raulston, Clarence Darrow, and Dudley Field Malone in 1925.
William Jennings Bryan, from left, Judge Raulston, Clarence Darrow, and Dudley Field Malone in 1925.
John Scopes is seated next to his father, Thomas Scopes, at the Rhea County Courtroom in July 1925.
John Scopes is seated next to his father, Thomas Scopes, at the Rhea County Courtroom in July 1925.
Prosecutor Ben G. McKenzie, left, and Clarence Darrow, center, in July 1925.
Prosecutor Ben G. McKenzie, left, and Clarence Darrow, center, in July 1925.
Attorney General and chief prosecutor A. Thomas Stewart, from left, William Jennings Bryan Jr., William Jennings Bryan, and Sue Hicks, confer during the trial in 1925.
Attorney General and chief prosecutor A. Thomas Stewart, from left, William Jennings Bryan Jr., William Jennings Bryan, and Sue Hicks, confer during the trial in 1925.
William Jennings Bryan, left, and Judge John Raulston in July 1925.
William Jennings Bryan, left, and Judge John Raulston in July 1925.
New York attorney for the defense Arthur G. Hays, left, and Rabbi Herman Rosenwasser, of San Francisco, hold a scroll with text from Genesis in Hebrew confirming the theory of evolution, according to Rosenwasser in July 1925. Rosenwasser submitted a statement for the court on an incorrect translation (referencing evolution), from the Hebrew Bible to the King James version.
New York attorney for the defense Arthur G. Hays, left, and Rabbi Herman Rosenwasser, of San Francisco, hold a scroll with text from Genesis in Hebrew confirming the theory of evolution, according to Rosenwasser in July 1925. Rosenwasser submitted a statement for the court on an incorrect translation (referencing evolution), from the Hebrew Bible to the King James version.