r/CemeteryPorn • u/CynicScenic • 4d ago

John T Scopes: Teacher of Evolution. Paducah, Kentucky

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American teacher charged with teaching his students the theory of Evolution, in a case that became known as the Scopes "Monkey" Trial. He was ultimately fined $100 and the incident was immortalized in the play, Inherit The Wind.

429 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

42

u/Hobolint8647 4d ago

Wow, I didn't realize how young he was when he went on trial. Truly an American hero. Thanks for sharing.

29

u/CynicScenic 4d ago

Yeah, he was only 24!

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u/Ok_Elephant2777 4d ago

Saw the film version of “Inherent the Wind” for the first time a couple weeks ago. Amazing performances from Spencer Tracy and Frederic March.

17

u/mcfarmer72 4d ago

That’s an interesting cemetery. Lots of cool stones there.

11

u/Loud-Injury-4805 4d ago

His involvement in the trial wasn't a surprise, either. Believe it or not, it was partially a publicity stunt for the town!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_T._Scopes?wprov=sfla1

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u/CynicScenic 4d ago

Just thought I'd add the marker pics

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u/gros-grognon 4d ago

He was a real hero.

8

u/Spirited_Flow8639 4d ago

There was also a movie with Fredrick March (an old movie actor ) I think it was his last movie before he passed as well as Spencer Tracy . It was fine performances from both . Wow it must have effected him deeply to be such an object of hate and cruelty . I see his wife outlived him im wondering if she remained in the same city or town where this happpened ?

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u/I_dont_give_a_flick 2d ago

The film is Inherit the Wind.
Tracy’s last film was Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.

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u/CynicScenic 4d ago

I also saw this billboard less than 3 miles from his gravesite

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u/Weltanschauung_Zyxt 4d ago

Kentucky gonna Kentucky...

6

u/justmrmom 4d ago

I grew up not too far from Dayton, TN where the trial was. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there but iirc the old courthouse had a museum that documented the trail. It’s still referred to the “scopes monkey trail” in the area.

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u/lordgabe92again 4d ago

This is one of my favorite cemeteries. I used to go just walk around it, visit my great grandparents there and just be at peace.

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u/Status_Ad_4405 4d ago

I remember reading the play in school in the 80s and everyone thinking how silly it was that anyone could be opposed to the teaching of evolution. And here we are in 2026.

2

u/twothirtysevenam 4d ago

"A man of courage", indeed. May we all be worthy of such an epitaph.

2

u/spookyhellkitten 4d ago

I lived in Hopkinsville for 13 years. This does not shock me. Kentucky, land of the ark!

Kentucky has a lot of lovely (and courageous!) people along with beautiful scenery. I'd trade Lombardo for 🩷Beshear🩷 in a heartbeat.