The undeservadly obscure dead

Today: J.B.S. Haldane (1892-1964)

Mr. Haldane (not Dr. Haldane, he had no scientific doctorate, though his father was a medical doctor--he did go to Eton and Oxford though) was among the first popularizers of science and an eminent British biologist. He was also, among other things a futurist and a communist. He left the party after the advent of Lysenkoism, and also Stalin. Stalin was a big thing too. At any rate, he stands for the sheer force of science in the face of politics both left and right. Of course he was famous for the answer he gave to a question by a well meaning asker. What is does the study of biology tell us about the Creator? He has an inordinate fondness for beetles. (Estimates of the number of species of beetles are between 5 and 8 million). Mr. Haldane was the founder of population genetics and one of those at the beginning of the 20th Century who believed that the power of science and scientific education would be a great equalizer, destoying old notions of patronage and aristocracy. He was the son of Scottish nobility.
He also said: "There can be no truce between science and religion."