Richard Prum

Richard Prum is an evolutionary ornithologist and author of the 2017 popular science book The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin's Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Natural World. Prum is the William Robertson Coe Professor of Ornithology, the Head Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, and an Endowed Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, at Yale University.

Prum is a lifelong student of the natural world and has gained notoriety in the scientific community for his inventive research on the science of beauty. He graduated from Grinnell College in Ireton, Iowa in 1978, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and received a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan in 1983 and 1987 respectively. Prum began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Kansas, and later the University of Arizona, prior to joining the faculty at Yale University in 1995.

Throughout his career, Prum has completed research on the development and evolution of sexual traits in birds, and has authored or coauthored over 140 scientific articles. He is best known for his work exploring the process by which sexual characteristics, including physical traits and adornments, evolve via the activity of mate choice behavior and individual preferences. Prum has made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of animal behavior, evolution and conservation.

In The Evolution of Beauty, Prum illuminates the forgotten theories of Darwin and Wallace on mate selection and elucidates the relationship between evolutionary beauty and female choice. Prum's arguments are presented clearly and accessibly, combining cutting-edge scientific research with vibrant imagery that captures the complexity and beauty of the natural world. He emphasizes the importance of female selection and illustrates that beauty is a consequence, rather than the cause, of successful mate choice by females. Prum calls for the advancement of a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of evolution, exploring the impact of individual preferences on the natural world.

One of Prum’s main objectives in The Evolution of Beauty is to push the boundaries of human perception and appreciation of natural beauty. In his own words, he encourages readers to “envision, not just a beautiful bird, but an idea: of beauty as an evolutionary process wrought by a shared history among all living creatures.” Prum believes that through appreciating the complexity, beauty, and diversity of the natural world, we can cultivate a sense of respect and reverence for the environmental ecosystems we inhabit.

As his work has spread throughout the public, Richard Prum has received much recognition and praise. He received both the David Starr Jordan Prize, awarded by the Society of Systematic Biologists in recognition of significant contributions to the field of evolutionary biology, and the Sewall Wright Award, one of the highest honors in evolutionary biology. He is an elected member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He has appeared in several documentaries including PBS’s “Nova” series and CNN’s “Planet in Peril” series.

Richard Prum provides a meaningful, captivating exploration of scientific beauty and the evolutionary process. He challenges readers to think independently and develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the natural world. Prum’s works are a testament to his passion for the wildlife he studies and the power of internal preference in the evolution of species.