Naturalist

In Naturalist, Wilson describes for the first time both

his growth as a scientist and the evolution of the science

he has helped define. He traces the trajectory of

his life—from a childhood spent exploring the Gulf

Coast of Alabama and Florida to life as a tenured

professor at Harvard—detailing how his youthful

fascination with nature blossomed into a lifelong

calling. He recounts with drama and wit the adventures

of his days as a student at the University of

Alabama and his four decades at Harvard University,

where he has achieved renown as both teacher and researcher.

As the narrative of Wilson’s life unfolds, the reader is treated to an

inside look at the origin and development of ideas that guide today’s

biological research. Theories that are now widely accepted in the scientific

world were once untested hypotheses emerging from one man’s

broad-gauged studies. Throughout Naturalist, we see Wilson’s mind

and energies constantly striving to help establish many of the central

principles of the field of evolutionary biology.

The story of Wilson’s life provides fascinating insights into the making

of a scientist, and a valuable look at some of the most thought-provoking

ideas of our time.