Stephen Jay Gould

Stephen Jay Gould

Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist and historian of science. He was often considered by many to be one of the most influential and widely read authors of popular science. Along with his research in the scientific fields of evolutionary theory, he was also a prolific author, writing numerous books and essay collections on biological and historical topics.

Gould was born in New York City in 1941 and received his undergraduate degree in geology from Antioch College. He later attended Columbia University earning an M.A. in geology and a Ph.D. in paleontology.

Gould began teaching at Harvard University in 1967 and was made a full professor in 1972. He held various positions at Harvard including curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, professor of geology and later professor of zoology. He received numerous awards including the Schuchert award for lifetime achievement, membership in the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Medal of Science.

Gould published a number of popular books, many of which have become classics in the fields of science and history. One of the most notable is his book "The Structure of Biological Science" which is an accessible introduction to the philosophy of science and biology.

His best-selling book "The Panda's Thumb" (1980) is a collection of essays which focus on natural history and evolutionary theory. In the book, Gould looks at a wide range of topics from the biology of slipper limpets to the fallacy of traditional intelligence testing.

In 1989, he published his book "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History" which looks at the significance of the Burgess Shale fossil beds as evidence for evolutionary change and diversity. With this book he also presented his idea of "Punctuated Equilibrium" which suggests that species can remain relatively unchanged (stasis) until a disruptive event triggers rapid change (punctuated).

In his later years, Gould wrote widely on topics ranging from the history of science to the philosophy of science to topics in paleobiology. His last major book was "The Hedgehog, the Fox, and the Magister's Pox" which is an examination of the relationships between philosophy, science, and history.

Gould also wrote for a variety of popular magazines such as Natural History, Discover and Slate. He also had a monthly column inNatural History magazine for several years.

Stephen Jay Gould passed away in 2002 at the age of 60 due to cancer. His legacy in the fields of science, history and philosophy continues to remain influential. His books still remain widely read and appreciated today, offering a unique insight into the nature of scientific thinking and knowledge. In addition to his books, Gould's personal essays and works of popular science have made an indelible impact on the world, inspiring a renewed interest in evolutionary science and philosophy.

Author books:

Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin

Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin

Provocative analysis of history's greatest thinkers, exploring relationships between their ideas and how they have shaped the modern world.