Desmond Morris

Desmond Morris is one of the most influential zoologists and authors in the world, having written numerous books and articles on science and the human condition. He is best known for his classic work The Naked Ape, which popularized animal behavior as a subject of scientific study.

Morris was born in 1928 in Purton, Wiltshire, England and showed an interest in animal behavior from an early age. He studied zoology at the University College of North Wales and the London School of Economics, and went on to become the curator of mammals at London Zoo.

Morris' first breakthrough came with the publication of "The Human Zoo" in 1969. In this book, Morris explored the behavior of humans in cities, looking at people as if they were animals in a laboratory. This was the first book to characterize humans as social animals, as opposed to seeing them primarily as rational actors.

The success of "The Human Zoo" led to Morris' most famous work, The Naked Ape. Published in 1967, The Naked Ape is a landmark book that popularized the study of animal behavior. The central premise of the book is that human behavior can be better understood by looking at our closest animal relatives. Morris argues that humans evolved from apes, and that this evolutionary history can explain much of our behavior today.

The Naked Ape was a major success and has been translated into numerous languages. Morris followed this book with a series of other books on animal behavior, including Manwatching and The Story of Sex. He also wrote a novel, The Genius of the Beast, which was followed by a sequel, the Superchimp. Later in his career, Morris began to focus on the cultural implications of animal behavior, writing books like Intimate Behaviour and Peoplewatching: The Desmond Morris Guide to Body Language.

Morris went on to become a professor of zoology at Oxford University and has written numerous books on science, politics and art. His work has also been featured in documentary films, such as BBC's Human Zoo, which was based on his book of the same name.

Morris is a unique figure in the world of science for his willingness to look at human behavior from the perspective of an animal behaviorist. He has written extensively on topics ranging from politics to art to sports. His writing has been praised for its accessibility and its ability to make complex topics like human behavior understandable to the average reader. Morris continues to write books and has recently published a new work, Puppetry of the Penis.

Morris' work has been extremely influential in the world of science and popular culture. He has helped to popularize the study of animal behavior, and his books are some of the most widely read on the subject. Morris' work has been praised for its original interpretation of human behavior and its ability to make complex processes seem simple. As one of the most influential zoologists and authors of the 20th century, Morris' work continues to be read and studied today.