Edward Osborne Wilson
- Born:
- June 10, 1929, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Died:
- December 26, 2021, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Biologist, Entomologist, Conservationist, Writer, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Developed an early interest in insects and nature.
- Scouted insects as a teenager and sold specimens to museums.
- B.S. and M.S. in biology from the University of Alabama.
- Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University in 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the faculty of Harvard University in 1956, where he remained for his entire career.
- Curator of Entomology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard.
- Pioneered the field of sociobiology.
- Developed the theory of island biogeography with Robert MacArthur.
- Advocated for biodiversity conservation.
- Won two Pulitzer Prizes for General Non-Fiction.
Notable Works
- The Theory of Island Biogeography (1967, with Robert H. MacArthur)
- The Insect Societies (1971)
- Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975)
- On Human Nature (1978)
- The Ants (1990, with Bert Hölldobler)
- The Diversity of Life (1992)
- Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (1998)
- The Social Conquest of Earth (2012)
- Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life (2016)
Legacy and Impact
E.O. Wilson, whose work is summarized in this eo wilson biography, made significant contributions to the fields of entomology, sociobiology, island biogeography, and conservation. He was a leading advocate for biodiversity preservation and a prolific writer, influencing generations of scientists and policymakers.