Cover image of "Keeping the Faith,"

Most of us, at least in the United States, learned a little about the famous “Monkey Trial” early in our schooling. It was, in fact, a milestone in the national debate over whether science or religion should dominate in considering Charles Darwin’s monumental breakthrough in our understanding of how we humans came to be who we are. The debate over evolution excited passions around the nation then. But if that’s all we know about the trial, and the question, which is still live, holds interest for us, we can gain a deep understanding from Brenda Wineapple of what was at stake, who were the principal actors (both fascinating men), and how the trial played out from day to day. Her new work, Keeping the Faith, is a great book. It’s an easy read (or listen), and full of colorful period detail.

What happened, why it happened, and who got into the act

The trial of Tennessee high school teacher John Scopes took place from July 10 to July 21, 1925 in the town of Dayton, Tennessee. The ACLU had recruited him to test the new state law which he was accused of violating. It prohibited anyone to teach about human evolution in any state-funded school. The press loved the case, and it attracted nationwide attention­­—and big-name lawyers. The biggest, in fact. Former three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) stood for the defense. The nation’s premier defense attorney, Clarence Darrow,(1857-1938) defended Scopes. As it turned out, however, they proved to be a poor match.

Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation by Brenda Wineapple (2024) 544 pages ★★★★★

Three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan represented the State of Tennessee in the so-called Scopes “Monkey Trial,” facing off with famed trial lawyer Clarence Darrow. The issue at the heart of the case was whether Tennessee schools could teach evolution. As you can see in the photo, the sale of Bryan’s books attracted great attention outside the courtroom. Image: history.com

What happened, and what it meant

The consensus at the time and since was that Darrow made a mockery of Bryan and his antiquated views. In fact, Bryan died one day after the trial concluded, no doubt in part as a result of the stress the trial induced. However, it was a jury trial, and the local men who sat on the jury had no trouble concluding swiftly in favor of the state. Nor did it alter the views of the Tennessee State Legislature. And it certainly didn’t settle the debate over evolution. No surprise, there. But the publicity surrounding the trial whipped up the national debate, eventually leading to at least a grudging acceptance of Darwin’s theory among most Americans.

If you enjoy reading American history, Keeping the Faith is a book not to be missed.

About the author

Brenda Wineapple. Image: author’s website

Brenda Wineapple is the author of eight nonfiction books, most of them about nineteenth century writers. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and the University of Wisconsin. Wineapple has won numerous awards and fellowships for her work. She teaches in the Master of Fine Arts programs at Columbia University’s School of the Arts and at the New School in New York City. Now about seventy-five years of age, she has lived in New York City for many years with her husband, a composer.

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