The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-10
Haeckel, Noted Biologist,
Dead; Once BrokeLe to
/. Prove Man Quadruped

BERLIN Aug. 10.-Prof Ernst
fHaeckel, famous throughout the world
Tor his research work supporting the
theory OF evolution, and who taught
that the natural man is a .quadruped,
is dead at Jena, at the age or eighty
I'VE. Professor Haeckel once broke
one Of his legs in support of this con-
tention.
Little had been heard OF the scien-
fist during the war, but he was one Of
the signers Of the circular demanding
the retirement of Chancellor Won
Bethmann-Hollweg in 1916. Last year
he shocked the junkers in Germany
by publishing broadcast that the
false cosmopolitan idealism OF the
German people was the greatest
danger to the national existence OF
the empire"
Ernst HaeckeI, philosopher, natural
list, biologist and writer, and the fore
most exponent of the Darwinian
theory in Germany, was born at Pots
dam. near Berlin, Prussia, February
10. 1884. as the son of wealthy and
highly educated parents. He received
his preparatory education at Potsdam
and Berlin, and afterward studied
medicine and the natural sciences at
1859 he went to Italy and studied
zoology at Naples and Messina. IN
1861 he returned to Germany ana
went to Jena, where he continued his
studies for a while. until he was APP
pointed lecturer on zoology at the
university.
Makes Debut ~ Writer.
He made his debut as a writer on
scientific subjects in the following
year. when he published his mono
graphs on the "RadiolarIa." This
work, strongly Influenced by Oar
wins theory of evolution. created
considerable interest in the scientific
world and attracted the attention of
scientists all over the world to the
modest "Privadozent' at Jena. His
first important work, "GenerelRe Nor
phologie." appeared in 1856. and es
tablished Haeckers reputatio mas a
thinker of great analytical as well
as constructive power. The. novelty
and holiness Of the theories advanced
nthat work surprised even the ad-
vanced thinkers in Germany and
aroused a storm of. Indignation
among the clergy and the orthdoX
church element. Haeckel was bitter
ly attacked and denounced an as
atheist and foe to religion, and de-
termined efforts were made to have
him dismissed from his professorship
at the Jena University. But the late
Grand Duke Earl Alexander of SAKE
WeimaF, the protector Of the young
scientist. declined to interfere, When
a promisent theologian begged the
Duke to prohibit the 'irreligious"
lectures of Haeckel, the Duke asked
the visiotor. whether he believed that
Haeckel was really convinced of the
truth of his statements.
Certainly, / do" was the reply,
and what he says is all the worse
for that very reason" -.'.
But then" retorted the Grand
Duke, lin that case he is doing moth
ing more than what you are doing
yourself"
Goes On Scientific Tour.
Darwin's theories had not found
firm foothold in Germany at. that
time, and many scientist attacked and
ridiculed HaeckeHs theories as they
had formerly attacked the utterances
of the English pioneer OF evolution
.Haeckel, unlike his mild and rather
shy predecessor in England; was a
born fighter and never hesitated for
moment to enter into a Dolemic