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Samuel Wilberforce

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (September 7, 1805-July 19, 1873)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Anglican Bishop of Oxford (1845-70) and Winchester (1870-73)
    Member of the House of Lords
    Best known for debating evolution with Thomas Huxley at Oxford (June 30, 1860)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was nicknamed 'Soapy Sam' by Benjamin Disraeli for his slipperiness in Parliamentary arguments.
    During the evolution debate, he asked Huxley if he was descended from an ape through his grandfather or his grandmother.
    Huxley replied that he was not ashamed of his ancestry but would be ashamed to be descended from a man 'who used his great gifts to obscure the truth.'
    After he died following a fall off his horse, Huxley allegedly commented that it was the first time Wilberforce's brain had come into contact with reality, and the result had proved fatal.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was considered one of the greatest public speakers of his day.
    An impassioned speech he delivered at an anti-slavery society made such an impression on the royal family that he was named chaplin to Prince Albert (1841).
    Although remembered primarily for his zinger to Huxley, most of his objections to evolution were based on legitimate scientific questions.
    Charles Darwin said of one of Wilberforce's written criticisms, 'The bishop makes a very telling case against me.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 17 Votes: 35.29% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 68.00% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying