The breakthrough of darwinism in Belgium. From the creationist Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden to his Darwinian son Edouard. [French]

摘要

The publication of the "Origin of species" by Darwin in 1859 has divided the XIXth century into two periods separated by this date. P.-J. Van Beneden's life illustrates the first period : he was the Belgian leader of the creationism. The fight initiated by the theory of evolution did not influenced him markedly. On the contrary, his son Edouard adopted it completely and became an enthusiastic follower of Darwin. Although he dedicated his life to research and teaching, he became also the great Belgian Darwinist. He forsaked the Christian faith of his youth and became one of the prominent Darwinian protagonist of the end of the XIXth century.