American politician (1860–1925), three-time presidential candidate, secretary of state under Woodrow Wilson, and one of the attorneys in the 1925 Scopes Trial. TLS signed “W. J. Bryan,” one page, 8 x 5.5, personal letterhead, August 6, 1923. Letter to Francis Jenkin Olcott. In full: “I am not sure whether I have answered your letter; I think I have, but at the risk of rpitiion [sic], I write now to express my deep appreciation of your kindness in sending me the very interesting folk lore you have discovered. It would seem that some of the aborigines had descended to almost as low a plane as some of our modern thinkers who glory in a jungle ancestry. The modernists, however, have less excuse because they have a chance to know better.” At the bottom, Bryan adds a short handwritten postscript: “Since dictating above I have your second letter & am returning pages sent.” In very good to fine condition, with edges likely lightly trimmed, intersecting folds, light overall toning, a bit heavier along bottom, and some light creasing and wrinkling.
Bryan believed the theory of evolution undermined Biblical teachings. He also viewed Darwinism as an ‘evil force’ that promoted hatred and degraded mortality—sentiments he believed prevailed in Germany and was one of the contributing factors to World War I. Around the time of this letter, Bryan ran unsuccessfully for the position of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the USA to continue his fight against evolution. Mostly likely, he was corresponding with Mr. Olcott regarding this crusade. His greatest role in the debate, of course, would come two years after writing these comments, via the highly publicized 1925 Scopes Trial. The jury quickly returned a guilty verdict with the defense's encouragement, and Bryan won the case. A great letter with a fabulous reference to evolution and mankind’s “jungle ancestry.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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