ABSTRACT
Alexander Winchell was hired by Vanderbilt University in 1875, the year the University opened under the jurisdiction of the Methodist Church South. As one of America’s leading scientists Winchell was instantly Vanderbilt’s most renowned faculty member. The man responsible for assembling Vanderbilt’s first faculty, Bishop Holland McTyeire, recruited Winchell fervently. As a leading geologist and biologist Winchell was well published at the time of his hiring. His various beliefs regarding organic evolution, the age of the earth, and its geologic history were spelled out in his papers and books and there seems little reason to believe that Bishop McTyeire and the Methodists would have been in doubt about his views.
While a Vanderbilt faculty member from 1875 to 1878 Winchell’s additional writings and some of the lectures he gave became increasingly irritating to segments of the community. Finally, after his publication of Adamites and Preadamites in 1878, he was dismissed. However, this book about the races of mankind seems not to have been the sole reason for his dismissal, although it did serve as a catalyst to bring the entire matter to a head. The Dean of Vanderbilt’s Biblical Department, Reverend T.O. Summers may have played a significant role in fostering an environment hostile to Winchell and his science. While appearing to be tolerant Summers may have been working behind the scenes against him. However, there can be little doubt that Winchell’s beliefs and teachings regarding the historical development of the world and its inhabitants came to present an embarrassment for the Methodist hierarchy and those in control of the University. Although other “official” reasons were given at the time of his dismissal, the controversy nevertheless, ignited considerable debate and brought unhappiness to many quarters.
The essential tenets of Winchell’s scientific beliefs at the time of his coming to Vanderbilt, what he wrote and discussed while at Vanderbilt, as well as the overall circumstances and feelings expressed by those at Vanderbilt are the subjects of this paper.
