The Ascent of Man

by Henry Drummond

Originally published in 1904, The Ascent of Man sought to correct what Drummond felt was an oversight in the evolutionary biology research being done in his day. Most scientists, he says, accept without question that the struggle for life is the force of evolution. What they overlook is what he calls the struggle for the life of others, or the struggle for reproduction. Drummond combines his own theories with a heavy dose of Christian doctrine to arrive at what may best be called "theological biology," which assumes man to be the greatest, highest purpose of the universe. Anyone interested in the history of evolution, its proponents and its detractors, and the long-standing war between religion and science will find Drummond's contribution provocative and controversial. Scottish evangelist HENRY DRUMMOND (1851-1897) also wrote the influential The Greatest Thing in the World (1880), a meditation on Scripture that continues to deeply move readers today.

360 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Henry Drummond FRSE FGS was a Scottish evangelist, biologist, writer and lecturer. He was a friend and contemporary of the Rev. John Watson (the Kailyard novelist Ian Maclaren) at Stirling High School and the University of Edinburgh.

Many of his writings were too nicely adapted to the needs of his own day to justify the expectation that they would long survive it, but few men exercised more religious influence in their own generation, especially on young men. His sermon The Greatest Thing in the World remains popular in Christian circles.