University of Illinois Press has published 'Duane Jeffery: A Mormon Evolutionist' by Steven L. Peck, chronicling the life of a BYU geneticist who spent decades defending the teaching of evolution within Latter-day Saint educational and cultural systems despite strong institutional resistance.

Jeffery, trained as a geneticist, faced persistent opposition from church leaders and BYU administrators who viewed evolutionary theory as incompatible with LDS doctrine. The biography traces his patient, years-long campaign to build understanding, correct misinformation about science within church culture, and defend the place of scientific inquiry in both education and faith.

Peck portrays Jeffery's career as marked by conflict but also by an unwavering commitment to intellectual honesty and the belief that faith and science need not be enemies. The book appears as part of the press's Introductions to Mormon Thought series, which examines influential LDS intellectuals and their contributions.