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Edward Osborne Wilson

エドワード・オズボーン・ウィルソン

Edowādo Ozubon Wiruson

Aliases: E. O. Wilson

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1929-06-10 （Birmingham, Alabama）
Died
2021-12-26 （Burlington, Massachusetts） age 92
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Agnosticism
Residence History
Birmingham, Alabama and other Southern U.S. towns → Lexington, Massachusetts

Career

Occupations
biologist, naturalist, ecologist, entomologist, sociobiologist
Active Years
1949-2021
Affiliations
Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology
Memberships
National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Influenced By
Robert MacArthur, Frank M. Carpenter
Influenced
Daniel Simberloff, Bert Hölldobler

Education

University of Alabama
Biology
Degree: BS, MS
Period: 1946-1950
Year of Graduation: 1950
Country: United States
Harvard University
Entomology
Degree: PhD
Period: 1951-1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: United States
Thesis: A Monographic Revision of the Ant Genus Lasius

Awards

Newcomb Cleveland Prize
1967
Organization: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Result: Winner
National Medal of Science
1977
Organization: President of the United States
Result: Winner
Pulitzer Prize
1979
Work: On Human Nature
Category: 一般ノンフィクション
Organization: Columbia University
Result: Winner
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
1984
Organization: Tyler Foundation
Result: Winner
Crafoord Prize
1990
Organization: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Result: Winner
Pulitzer Prize
1991
Work: The Ants
Category: 一般ノンフィクション
Organization: Columbia University
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sociobiology: The New Synthesis

1975 Science

Foundational book establishing sociobiology, explaining insect social behavior through evolutionary principles and extending to humans.

sociobiologyevolutiongenes

On Human Nature

1978 Science

Explores biological basis of human behavior and culture. Pulitzer Prize winner.

human natureevolutionary psychology

The Ants

1990 Science

Comprehensive encyclopedia on ants. Pulitzer Prize winner.

antseusociality

The Diversity of Life

1992 Science

Discusses importance of biodiversity and extinction crisis.

biodiversityconservation

Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge

1998 Science

Advocates unity of sciences and humanities.

consiliencephilosophy of science

Bibliography

  • The Theory of Island Biogeography
  • The Insect Societies
  • On Human Nature
  • The Ants
  • The Diversity of Life
  • Consilience
  • Half-Earth

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear and detailed scientific proseEncyclopedic approach
Recurring Motifs
antsbiodiversityevolution

Health

  • Blindness in right eye (cataract)
    1936年以降
    Led to focus on insects rather than mammals or birds

Legacy

Father of sociobiology and pioneer in biodiversity conservation. Two-time Pulitzer winner.

Museums

  • E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Walton County, Florida Opened in 2009

Academic Societies

  • National Academy of Sciences
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Archives

  • Library of Congress (personal correspondence)

In Popular Culture

  • Called 'Darwin's heir'

Quotes

  • The evolutionary epic is probably the best myth we will ever have.
    Source: On Human Nature (1978)

Trivia

  • Eagle Scout
  • IQ 123
  • Discovered first U.S. fire ant colony