E. O. Wilson
Edward O. Wilson is one of the world’s most renowned authors and thinkers. He is an American biologist, naturalist and science writer who has won numerous awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Medal of Science awards, and the Crafoord Prize. With over 25 books written, Wilson is respected in the scientific community for his works on the evolution of human behavior, biodiversity, and biological conservation. He has earned the title of “Father of Biodiversity” for his contributions to science and literature.
The son of a farmer, Edward O. Wilson was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 10, 1929. Since an early age, he showed an interest in the natural world, collecting insects around his hometown and even becoming part of a local entomology society. As a college student studying biology at the University of Alabama, he soon met renowned evolutionary theorist and Harvard professor E.O. Wiley and quickly gained his admiring respect. Under his tutelage, Wilson developed his passion for parasitic ants, which ultimately became the focus for a good portion of his research and writing.
By 1955, Wilson had earned his doctorate at Harvard and was appointed assistant professor at the University ofcrete Island. It was here that he developed his interest in interdisciplinary science and began collecting data in the Galapagos Islands. What he found would greatly influence the rest of his career, as he observed and described biodiversity within the islands which demonstrated a unique yet universal pattern of diversity among the species. The observations he made in the Galapagos inspired him to publish The Theory of Island Biogeography in 1967, which focused on the theory of how living organisms colonize and migrate, connecting ecology, evolution and geography together.
After his time in the Galapagos, Wilson returned to Harvard and developed a new teaching method called "Harvard System Natural History” in which he taught his students to observe and identify species within the atmosphere — a way of learning that is still used today. During his professorship, he wrote several books, such as Sociobioloy, the Human Nature Novel and the Pulitzer Prize-winning On Human Nature which argued for a view of human behavior rooted in evolutionary psychology. His work brought together broad fields of study, such as ecology, sociology and neurology, creating a “Unified Science.” His works also emphasized the importance of conserving the environment and preserving endangered animal and plant species.
In recent years, Wilson has continued to research and publish despite being in his 90s. His most recent book, Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life, was published in 2017 and supports the idea of countries joining forces to set aside half of the Earth’s surface for the protection of plants and animals. This book is the latest in a long line of distinguished works by Edward O. Wilson and it demonstrates his dedication to the cause of protecting biodiversity.
Throughout his career, Edward O. Wilson has been an influential voice in the scientific community and a passionate advocate for preserving the planet’s vast biodiversity. His works have inspired researchers in various fields, from biology to sociology, and his insistence on conservation has helped to save some of the world's most endangered species. His books are lauded for their insight, accuracy and creativity, and his legacy lives on through all the knowledge he has spread about the natural world and beyond.
