Grave of John T. Scopes / Scopes "Monkey Trial"

John T. Scopes, a Paducah native and University of Kentucky graduate, was buried here after a life defined by the famous Dayton, Tennessee, trial that began when, at age 24, he taught Darwin's theory of evolution to a biology class in violation of a Tennessee law forbidding the teaching of evolution. Tried in July 1925 as a test case, his case gained international attention and raised issues of academic freedom, separation of church and state, and reconciling science and religion. Clarence Darrow defended Scopes, and William Jennings Bryan prosecuted him. Scopes was convicted and fined $100. He later worked as a geologist in South America and Louisiana. The law he violated was repealed in 1967, and Scopes died in 1970. The popular play "Inherit the Wind" is based on the famous Scopes trial.

Paducah, Kentucky · United States