How a 1798 poem about triangles fueled a famous Victorian feud
In short: In 1860, Bishop Samuel Wilberforce famously mocked Thomas Huxley’s ancestry during a heated debate over evolution. But the ultimate insult was rooted in a much older, bizarre piece of mathematical poetry from the late 18th century that parodied the era's obsession with nature and geometry.
The poem in question, 'The Loves of the Triangles' (1798), served as a sophisticated parody of Erasmus Darwin—the grandfather of Charles Darwin. It was a three-part work that mocked the scientific and poetic style of the time. While it may seem like a niche literary curiosity, the poem was actually a significant cultural artifact that sold many editions and remained in circulation well into the 20th century, even being referenced by G.K. Chesterton. The poem's title is a direct nod to Erasmus Darwin's own work, 'The Loves of the Plants.' This original work was originally part of a two-part sequence titled 'The Botanic Garden,' though Darwin later swapped the order so that 'The Loves of the Plants' became the second part.
The original work featured a frontispiece of Flora and Cupid, signaling its semi-erotic themes regarding the relationship between women and vegetation. The historical significance of 'The Loves of the Triangles' lies in its role as a vehicle for political and social commentary. It expressed contemporary anxieties regarding the emerging theories of revolution and evolution. Decades later, in 1860, Bishop Wilberforce—a reactionary campaigner known as 'Soapy Sam'—used an anonymous, vitriolic review of 'On the Origin of Species' to revive this poem. He cited it to mock Charles Darwin, suggesting the scientist had inherited 'ridiculous opinions' from his 'ingenious grandsire,' Erasmus, effectively using 18th-century mathematical satire to wage a 19th-century war on biology.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mathematical History: Triangular Relationships - Professor Patricia Fara
- Also: Triangular Relationships
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-mathematical-history-triangular-relationships-professor-patr.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
