However, the modern creationist movement, which emphasizes the literal interpretation of religious texts and opposes evolutionary science, gained momentum in the 20th century. Although there is no one specific individual who can be credited with starting creationism, several prominent figures played significant roles in its development and spread:
1. George McCready Price: Price was an American Seventh-day Adventist geologist who authored numerous books and articles promoting a young-Earth creationist perspective. His book "The New Geology" (1923) was influential in popularizing creationist ideas.
2. Henry Morris: Morris was an American engineer and creationist who co-founded the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) in 1972. He wrote several books, including "The Genesis Flood" (1961), which became a foundational text for the modern creationist movement.
3. Duane Gish: Gish was a biochemist and a leader in the creationist movement. He debated notable evolutionary biologists, including Richard Dawkins and Francis Crick. His book "Evolution: The Fossils Say No!" (1973) presented arguments against evolutionary theory from a creationist perspective.
4. Ken Ham: Ham is an Australian creationist and the president of Answers in Genesis (AiG), a Christian apologetics ministry. He is known for his creationist theme parks, such as the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, which aim to present a literal interpretation of the biblical creation account.
These individuals, among others, played key roles in shaping and disseminating creationist ideas and establishing organizations dedicated to promoting creationism as an alternative to evolutionary science.