'The Man Who Found Time'   

[OCT. 29, 2003]  ^"The Man Who Found Time: James Hutton and the Discovery of the Earth's Antiquity." Jack Repcheck, Perseus Publishing, 2003, 247 pages.

Review by Richard Sumrall

According to author Jack Repcheck there are four scientists whose discoveries are considered among the most important in the history of Western civilization. Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Charles Darwin are all known for their revolutionary work in physics, astronomy and biology. Less known but, according to Repcheck, equally important among these influential figures of science is the 18th-century Scottish physician and farmer James Hutton. In his new book, "The Man Who Found Time," Repcheck contends that Dr. Hutton's hypothesis that the earth was much older than the biblical estimation of approximately 6,600 years old is among the most significant breakthroughs in scientific history.

Prior to Dr. Hutton's presentation of his theories at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on March 7, 1785, it was generally accepted that the world's age was accurately measured in the Holy Bible. For centuries biblical scholars and pseudo-scientists had grappled with the question of the earth's age. Using the biblical chronology of time and events researchers invariably concluded that the age of the earth was measured in thousands, not millions, of years. Early scientists who proposed otherwise were sometimes made the subject of ridicule or labeled heretics.

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Dr. Hutton had unique ideas about the earth's actual age, ideas that were inspired by his observations of the land, terrain and soil found in his native Edinburgh, Scotland. Hutton's observations of the changes in the layers and strata of the soil, hills and rock formations convinced him that powerful geologic forces affected the formation and alteration of the earth's surface. These geologic occurrences were the results of the erosion processes and molten activity within the outer boundaries of the earth's core. Hutton demonstrated that these processes were responsible for the changing topography and that these processes took millions of years.

After this revelation of the earth's true antiquity, Hutton's theory opened new doors in the natural sciences. Most notable was the impact of Hutton on the evolution theories proposed by Charles Darwin. Darwin was able to formulate his theory that the higher level forms of life (including humans) evolved from the earlier, lower life forms and bolstered the theory that this evolutionary process could not have taken the biblical time span of 6,600 years. It was a process that took millions of years, a claim made more believable by Hutton's contributions to the geologic sciences.

"The Man Who Found Time" is an engaging and stimulating read on several levels. Part biography and part investigative science, Repcheck has introduced us to one of the truly influential figures of Western science. Overlooked by history, Hutton's story and his work are brought to life in a style of writing that is both entertaining and illuminating to the reader. This book is recommended to readers who enjoy history, biography or true accounts of scientific discovery.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]