Darwin's Brave New World (Episode 3)

After labouring in secret for 20 years, Charles Darwin is almost trumped by the obscure young naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, who has been in the southern world of Australasia for almost a
decade.

Shocked that someone else is drawing the same conclusions, Darwin knows that he must publish his own work post haste. Hooker helps to ensure that Darwin has priority over Wallace, by arranging a joint reading of their theories, whilst Huxley sharpens his beak and claws in readiness to defend Darwin against the Church and scientific establishment Wallace returns to England and immediately joins battle in defence of Darwin.

On the Origin of Species is published to acclaim and attack and Darwins allies embark on a bitter and brutal public battle for Darwins idea and the future of science. The battle culminates with the legendary Oxford debate in which Hooker and Huxley go toe-to-toe with the reactionary forces of Church and the scientific establishment. Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution eventually triumph.

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Aired 11-22-09