James Hutton was the first to propose that geological change occurred gradually by the accumulation of small changes from processes that are occurring today, but who was the first to popularize this idea with additional geological evidence and to inspire Darwin to consider that the earth is millions of years old instead of only thousands of years old?

Charles Lyell inspired Darwin.

Explanation:

Charles Lyell was a Scottish geologist born in 1797 at kinnordy. He was friend to some scientists. He was a friend to Charles Darwin. He questioned the ideas of different geologists. Charles Lyell debunked the Earth is 6000 years ago which was proposed by some Bible scholars. He stressed that the Earth took long time to formed. He said that erosion give the Earth it's shape. He was termed heretic during his time because of His findings.