Historic Scientists

Question 1

Robert Hooke

Answer 1

(1635-1703) Thought that the mechanical function of living things came to be seen as evidence of God’s design

Question 2

Nicolaus Steno

Answer 2

(1638-86) Founder of geology and used stratigraphy as a method for reconstructing the past.

Question 3

William Paley

Answer 3

(1743-1805) Proposed that the mechanical complexity of animal organs provided evidence of a divine creator (tripping on a rock vs watch story)

Question 4

Carolus Linnaeus

Answer 4

(1707-78) Founder of modern taxonomy, based on morphological similarites

Question 5

Georges Buffon

Answer 5

(1707-88) Argued life changed over time, Earth formed according to the laws of physics and chemistry. Calculated Earth to be much older than previously thought ~70,000 years old

Question 6

Lamarck

Answer 6

(1744-1829) Proposed species had evolved through natural processes and claimed adaptation occurred through inheritance of acquired changes

Question 7

Georges Cuvier

Answer 7

(1769-1832) Anti-evolutionist, concluded living things went extinct

Question 8

James Hutton

Answer 8

(1726-1797) Argued Earth transformed gradually over vast amounts of time

Question 9

William Smith

Answer 9

(1769-1839) Discovered different rock layers contained distinct groups of fossils. Created first geological map.

Question 10

Mary Anning

Answer 10

(1799-1847) Discovered spectacular fossils of marine reptiles