1. Overview
Edward O. Wilson (June 10, 1929 - December 26, 2021) was an American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, and entomologist who became a leading authority on ants and a pioneering figure in the field of sociobiology. Born in Alabama, Wilson developed an early fascination with nature, which intensified after a childhood accident partially blinded him, leading him to focus on small creatures. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in establishing sociobiology as a scientific discipline, exploring the evolutionary basis of social behavior in animals, including humans.
Wilson's career at Harvard University spanned decades, during which he co-developed the influential theory of island biogeography and authored seminal works such as Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, On Human Nature, and The Ants, the latter two earning him Pulitzer Prizes. Beyond his scientific contributions, he was a passionate advocate for biodiversity conservation, introducing concepts like the biophilia hypothesis and proposing the "Half-Earth" initiative to protect global ecosystems. He also championed scientific humanism as a worldview compatible with scientific understanding, fostering dialogue between science and religion.
Despite his significant contributions, Wilson's work, particularly sociobiology's application to human behavior, sparked considerable academic and public controversy, drawing accusations of biological determinism, racism, and misogyny. His later revealed support for the work of J. Philippe Rushton, a psychologist known for pseudoscientific and racist theories on race and intelligence, further complicated his legacy. Nevertheless, Wilson remains celebrated as the "father of biodiversity" and "Darwin's heir," leaving an indelible mark on evolutionary biology, conservation, and the broader scientific understanding of life on Earth.
2. Early Life and Education
Edward Osborne Wilson's early life was marked by a deep connection to nature and significant personal challenges that shaped his scientific focus.
2.1. Childhood and Early Interests
Edward Osborne Wilson was born on June 10, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama, the only child of Inez Linnette Freeman and Edward Osborne Wilson Sr. His childhood involved frequent moves across various towns in the Southern United States, including Mobile, Decatur, and Pensacola. From a very young age, Wilson exhibited a profound interest in natural history and spent considerable time outdoors. His parents, who divorced when he was seven, allowed him to keep black widow spiders on their porch, fostering his early curiosity.
At the age of seven, the same year his parents divorced, Wilson suffered a fishing accident that blinded him in his right eye. Despite the prolonged pain, he did not cease his outdoor activities and never sought medical treatment, anxious to remain outside. Several months later, a cataract clouded his right pupil, necessitating a "terrifying 19th-century ordeal" of lens removal at Pensacola Hospital. While he retained full 20/10 vision in his left eye, the loss of his stereoscopic vision prompted him to concentrate on "little things." He observed butterflies and ants more keenly than other children, finding himself drawn to their intricate details, such as the fine print and hairs on their bodies. This reduced ability to observe larger animals like mammals and birds naturally led him to focus on insects.
At nine, Wilson began his first expeditions in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., developing a passion for butterflies, which he captured using improvised nets. His fascination with ants began vividly when he pulled bark from a rotting tree and discovered "short, fat, brilliant yellow" citronella ants that emitted a strong lemony odor, an event he described as leaving a "vivid and lasting impression." He earned the Eagle Scout award and served as Nature Director at his Boy Scouts summer camp. At 18, aspiring to be an entomologist, he initially collected flies, but a shortage of insect pins during World War II led him to switch to ants, which could be stored in vials. Encouraged by Marion R. Smith, a myrmecologist from the National Museum of Natural History, Wilson began a comprehensive survey of ants in Alabama. This study led to his report of the first fire ant colony in the U.S., near the port of Mobile.
2.2. Education
Wilson attended 15 or 16 schools over 11 years of schooling. Concerned about affording university, he attempted to enlist in the United States Army to secure government financial support for his education. However, he failed the Army medical examination due to his impaired eyesight. Despite this setback, he was able to enroll in the University of Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in 1949 and a Master of Science in biology in 1950. The following year, Wilson transferred to Harvard University.
Appointed to the Harvard Society of Fellows, Wilson embarked on overseas expeditions, collecting ant species from Cuba and Mexico, and traveling across the South Pacific, including Australia, New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia, as well as to Sri Lanka. In 1955, he received his Ph.D. and married Irene Kelley. Wilson later stated in his book Letters to a Young Scientist that his IQ was measured as 123. He also experienced a further loss of hearing in one ear and later developed mild dyslexia.
3. Academic Career and Early Research
Wilson's academic career at Harvard University was marked by foundational research in entomology and the development of key ecological and evolutionary theories.
3.1. Myrmecology and Taxonomy
From 1956 until his retirement in 1996, Wilson was a faculty member at Harvard, initially focusing on ant taxonomy. He became a world-renowned expert in myrmecology, the study of ants. His early research delved into the microevolution of ants, investigating how they developed into new species by overcoming environmental disadvantages and colonizing new habitats. This work led him to develop the theory of the "taxon cycle," which describes the evolutionary patterns of species diversification and dispersal, particularly on islands. His systematic study of ants and their behavior, culminating in the encyclopedic work The Ants, established him as a leading authority in the field. He discovered and described over 400 species of ants throughout his career. In 1973, Wilson was appointed the curator of entomology at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.
3.2. Development of Key Theories
In collaboration with mathematician William H. Bossert, Wilson developed a classification system for pheromones based on insect communication patterns. This work provided a framework for understanding the chemical signals that govern social insect behavior.
In the 1960s, he collaborated with mathematician and ecologist Robert MacArthur to develop the theory of species equilibrium, which later became known as the theory of island biogeography. This theoretical work was put to the test in the 1970s when Wilson and biologist Daniel S. Simberloff conducted experiments on tiny mangrove islets in the Florida Keys. They meticulously eradicated all insect species from these islets and then observed the subsequent repopulation by new species, providing empirical support for their theory. Their book The Theory of Island Biogeography became a standard text in ecology, fundamentally influencing the understanding of species distribution and community structure.
4. Major Scientific Contributions
E.O. Wilson's scientific contributions spanned multiple disciplines, from entomology to ecology, evolutionary biology, and even the philosophy of knowledge, leaving a profound impact on how scientists understand life on Earth.
4.1. Island Biogeography
Wilson's collaboration with mathematician and ecologist Robert MacArthur led to the development of the theory of island biogeography, a cornerstone of modern ecological research. Published in their 1967 book, The Theory of Island Biogeography, this theory posits that the number of species on an island is determined by a balance between the rate of species immigration and the rate of species extinction. Key factors influencing this balance include the island's size (larger islands support more species) and its distance from the mainland (islands closer to the mainland have higher immigration rates).
The theory provided a quantitative framework for understanding species diversity patterns, particularly in isolated habitats. Its implications extended beyond literal islands, applying to any isolated ecosystem or habitat patch. In the 1970s, Wilson and biologist Daniel S. Simberloff empirically tested this theory by defaunating small mangrove islets in the Florida Keys and observing the subsequent recolonization, providing strong support for their model. The theory of island biogeography became fundamental for conservation biology, informing the design of nature reserves and strategies for protecting fragmented habitats. For instance, based on this theory, Jared Diamond argued in 1975 that larger conservation areas are generally better, sparking the SLOSS debate (Single Large Or Several Small) regarding reserve design.
4.2. Sociobiology
Wilson's most ambitious and controversial contribution was the establishment of sociobiology as a scientific field. He defined sociobiology as the systematic study of the biological basis of all forms of social behavior in all kinds of organisms. It integrates knowledge from ethology, ecology, and genetics to formulate general principles about the biological characteristics of entire societies.
His 1971 book, The Insect Societies, laid the groundwork by arguing that insect behavior and the behavior of other animals are influenced by similar evolutionary pressures. He then expanded these ideas in his 1975 book, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, applying his theories of insect behavior to vertebrates and, in its final chapter, to humans. Wilson proposed that all animal behavior, including human behavior, is a product of heredity, environmental stimuli, and past experiences, suggesting that free will might be an illusion. He referred to the biological basis of behavior as the "genetic leash," asserting that all animal social behavior is governed by epigenetic rules shaped by the laws of evolution. This theory challenged the prevailing doctrine of tabula rasa, which held that humans are born without innate mental content and that culture solely shapes knowledge and survival. Wilson argued that the human mind is shaped by both genetic inheritance and culture, and that there are limits to how much social and environmental factors can alter human behavior.
He contended that the unit of selection in natural selection is the gene, the basic element of heredity, while the "target" of selection is typically the individual carrying an ensemble of genes. Regarding the use of kin selection to explain the behavior of eusocial insects, Wilson later articulated a "new view" that it was "group selection all along, an idea first roughly formulated by Darwin." This perspective on group selection, particularly in later works, led to significant scientific disagreements with other evolutionary biologists.
4.3. Sociobiology: The New Synthesis and On Human Nature
Wilson's 1975 book, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, was initially well-received by many biologists for its detailed empirical and theoretical work on animal social behavior. However, its final chapter, which extended sociobiological principles to human behavior, ignited a major academic and public controversy known as the "sociobiology debate." Critics, particularly from the Sociobiology Study Group associated with the organization Science for the People, accused Wilson of promoting biological determinism, racism, misogyny, and even supporting eugenics. Prominent Harvard colleagues, including Richard Lewontin and Stephen Jay Gould, were strong opponents, arguing that Wilson's views presented a deterministic and politically dangerous interpretation of human society. They, along with others, published an open letter titled "Against 'Sociobiology'," criticizing his "deterministic view of human society and human action." Wilson responded with an article titled "Academic Vigilantism and the Political Significance of Sociobiology" in BioScience. The controversy escalated, notably in February 1978, when Wilson was doused with water by members of the International Committee Against Racism who chanted "Racist Wilson you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!" and doused him with water. Although some critics, including Stephen Jay Gould and Science for the People, condemned the physical attack, the incident highlighted the deep political and ideological divisions his work had exposed. Wilson defended his work in an article titled "Academic Vigilantism and the Political Significance of Sociobiology," arguing against what he perceived as politically motivated attacks on scientific inquiry. The debate persisted for years, forcing Wilson to repeatedly clarify that he did not advocate for genetic determinism and that human behavior was influenced by both genes and culture.
In 1978, Wilson published On Human Nature, which further explored the role of biology in the evolution of human culture. This book, which won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, argued that the human mind is shaped by both genetic inheritance and culture, challenging the idea that human behavior is solely determined by environmental factors. Wilson famously stated in the book, "The evolutionary epic is probably the best myth we will ever have," contributing to the popularization of the phrase "epic of evolution." He believed that understanding the biological basis of human behavior could alleviate the burden of guilt often imposed by traditional explanations for conditions like autism or schizophrenia, and even religious doctrines.
4.4. The Ants
In 1990, Wilson co-authored the monumental work The Ants with zoologist Bert Hölldobler. This encyclopedic book, the culmination of systematic research on ants and their behavior, provided an exhaustive overview of ant biology, ecology, and social organization. It earned Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1991.
In discussing ant societies, Wilson famously quipped, "Karl Marx was right, socialism works, it is just that he had the wrong species." He asserted that individual ants and other eusocial species achieve higher Darwinian fitness by prioritizing the colony's needs over their own, due to their lack of reproductive independence-worker ants cannot reproduce without a queen. Humans, however, possess reproductive independence, maximizing their Darwinian fitness by ensuring their own survival and producing offspring. This distinction highlighted his view that while ant societies might appear communal, their organization is a biological consequence of their reproductive constraints, unlike humans.
4.5. Biophilia Hypothesis
Wilson introduced the concept of biophilia, defined as "the urge to affiliate with other forms of life." This idea, first explored in his 1984 book Biophilia, posits that humans possess an innate, genetically determined tendency to connect with nature and other living systems. He argued that this deep-seated affinity for the natural world has an evolutionary and psychological basis, stemming from humanity's long history of dependence on the natural environment for survival and well-being.
The biophilia hypothesis has significant implications for conservation and human well-being. Wilson suggested that protecting nature aligns with our inherent biophilic instincts, making conservation not just an ecological necessity but also a fulfillment of a fundamental human need. The concept has influenced modern conservation ethics, emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature and the psychological benefits of human-nature interactions.
4.6. Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge
In his 1998 book, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, Wilson articulated a grand vision for integrating knowledge across diverse disciplines. He expanded upon C.P. Snow's idea of bridging the gap between the natural sciences and the humanities, arguing that knowledge is fundamentally unified, rather than fragmented into separate domains. Wilson used the term "consilience" (a term coined by William Whewell) to describe this synthesis of knowledge from specialized fields of human endeavor.
He defined human nature as a collection of epigenetic rules-genetic patterns of mental development-and contended that culture and rituals are products of human nature, not its components. For example, he suggested that while art itself is not part of human nature, our appreciation for art is. Wilson proposed that concepts such as art appreciation, the fear of snakes, or the incest taboo (Westermarck effect) could be studied using the scientific methods of the natural sciences, thereby becoming part of interdisciplinary research that transcends traditional boundaries of psychology, sociology, or cultural anthropology. His aim was to foster a unified understanding of the world, where insights from science could inform and enrich the humanities, and vice versa. The Japanese title for this book is 知の挑戦：科学的知性と文化的知性の統合Chi no Chōsen: Kagakuteki Chisei to Bunkateki Chisei no TōgōJapanese (Challenge of Knowledge: Integration of Scientific and Cultural Intellect).
4.7. Other Theoretical Contributions
Beyond his major works, Wilson made several other significant theoretical contributions to evolutionary biology and ecology. In 1956, he co-authored a paper defining the theory of character displacement, which describes how two similar species evolve distinct traits when they coexist in the same environment, reducing competition.
Later, in 1981, collaborating with biologist Charles Lumsden, Wilson published Genes, Mind and Culture, which introduced a theory of gene-culture coevolution. This theory posits a reciprocal relationship where genes influence cultural development, and cultural practices, in turn, influence the selective pressures on genes, leading to a coevolutionary process between biological and cultural evolution.
5. Philosophy and Beliefs
E.O. Wilson's philosophical outlook and beliefs were deeply intertwined with his scientific endeavors, particularly his views on humanism, religion, and environmental ethics.
5.1. Scientific Humanism
Wilson coined the phrase "scientific humanism" to describe what he considered "the only worldview compatible with science's growing knowledge of the real world and the laws of nature." He argued that this perspective is best suited to improve the human condition by grounding ethical and societal decisions in empirical understanding. In 2003, he was among the notable signers of the Humanist Manifesto, aligning himself with the principles of secular humanism which emphasizes reason, ethics, and justice, while rejecting supernatural beliefs.
5.2. Views on Religion and Spirituality
Wilson held a complex and evolving relationship with religion. He described his position on God as "provisional deism" and explicitly preferred the label "agnostic" over "atheist". He explained his spiritual journey as a gradual drift away from traditional beliefs, stating, "I drifted away from the church, not definitively agnostic or atheistic, just Baptist & Christian no more."
He argued that belief in God and religious rituals are products of evolution, suggesting they should not be dismissed but rather investigated by science to better understand their significance to human nature. In his 2006 book, The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth, Wilson advocated for cooperation between science and religion, urging scientists to "offer the hand of friendship" to religious leaders. He believed that "Science and religion are two of the most potent forces on Earth and they should come together to save the creation." This appeal, made on lecture circuits, reportedly received a "massive reply" and led to a covenant aimed at fostering a partnership.
However, in a 2015 interview with New Scientist, Wilson expressed a more critical view, stating, "I would say that for the sake of human progress, the best thing we could possibly do would be to diminish, to the point of eliminating, religious faiths. But certainly not eliminating the natural yearnings of our species or the asking of these great questions." This statement highlighted his evolving perspective on the societal role of organized religion, even as he acknowledged the enduring human need for meaning and inquiry.
5.3. Environmentalism and Conservation
Wilson was a passionate and influential advocate for biodiversity conservation, earning him titles such as the "father of biodiversity." He extensively studied the mass extinctions of the 20th century and their relationship to modern society, identifying mass extinction as the greatest threat to Earth's future. He warned against the irreversible damage caused by habitat destruction, stating, "Now when you cut a forest, an ancient forest in particular, you are not just removing a lot of big trees and a few birds fluttering around in the canopy. You are drastically imperiling a vast array of species within a few square miles of you. The number of these species may go to tens of thousands... Many of them are still unknown to science, and science has not yet discovered the key role undoubtedly played in the maintenance of that ecosystem, as in the case of fungi, microorganisms, and many of the insects." He famously likened destroying a rainforest for economic gain to burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.
From the late 1970s, Wilson actively engaged in global conservation efforts, contributing to and promoting research. His 1984 book Biophilia introduced the concept of biophilia, exploring humanity's innate attraction to the natural environment and influencing modern conservation ethics. In 1988, he edited the BioDiversity volume, which emerged from the first U.S. national conference on the subject and popularized the term "biodiversity" itself, creating the modern field of biodiversity studies.
Wilson was a consultant to Columbia University's Earth Institute and served as a director for organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund. In 2011, he led scientific expeditions to Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and the archipelagos of Vanuatu and New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific.
His understanding of the extinction crisis led him to advocate for ambitious protection strategies, including the "Act to Save America's Forests," first introduced in 1998. In 2014, Wilson proposed setting aside 50% of Earth's surface for other species to thrive, arguing it was the only viable strategy to halt the extinction crisis. This bold idea formed the basis of his 2016 book, Half-Earth, and the subsequent Half-Earth Project of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, which emphasizes the need for social equity in environmental efforts. He was also instrumental in launching the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) initiative, a global database aiming to compile information on all 1.9 million species recognized by science, which now includes data on virtually all known species.
6. Controversies and Criticisms
E.O. Wilson's groundbreaking work, particularly in sociobiology, generated significant academic and public debate, leading to controversies that shaped his legacy.
6.1. The Sociobiology Debate
The publication of Sociobiology: The New Synthesis in 1975 sparked an intense and prolonged academic and public controversy, primarily concerning the application of sociobiological principles to human behavior. While initially praised by many biologists, the book's final chapter, which speculated on the evolutionary and genetic underpinnings of human social organization, drew strong criticism.
The most vocal opposition came from the Sociobiology Study Group, which included several of Wilson's colleagues at Harvard, notably Richard Lewontin and Stephen Jay Gould. These critics argued that Wilson's theories promoted biological determinism, suggesting that human behavior was largely fixed by genes, thereby potentially justifying social inequalities, racism, and misogyny. They accused him of providing a scientific veneer for existing social hierarchies and discriminatory practices. The group published an open letter titled "Against 'Sociobiology'," asserting that Wilson's views were "deterministic" and problematic.
The controversy escalated into public protests. In February 1978, at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Wilson was surrounded by members of the International Committee Against Racism who chanted "Racist Wilson you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!" and doused him with water. Although some critics, including Stephen Jay Gould and Science for the People, condemned the physical attack, the incident highlighted the deep political and ideological divisions his work had exposed. Wilson defended his work in an article titled "Academic Vigilantism and the Political Significance of Sociobiology," arguing against what he perceived as politically motivated attacks on scientific inquiry. The debate persisted for years, forcing Wilson to repeatedly clarify that he did not advocate for genetic determinism and that human behavior was influenced by both genes and culture.
6.2. Dispute with Richard Dawkins
Despite Richard Dawkins initially defending Wilson during the sociobiology debate, a significant scientific disagreement later emerged between them, particularly concerning evolutionary theory and the concepts of group selection versus kin selection. The dispute became widely reported, beginning in 2012 when Dawkins published a critical review of Wilson's book The Social Conquest of Earth in Prospect Magazine.
In his review, Dawkins sharply criticized Wilson for rejecting kin selection (a theory that explains altruism in terms of shared genes among relatives) and for supporting group selection (a theory proposing that natural selection can act on groups, not just individuals, favoring traits that benefit the group). Dawkins labeled Wilson's arguments as "bland" and "unfocused," asserting that the book's theoretical errors were "important, pervasive, and integral to its thesis in a way that renders it impossible to recommend."
Wilson responded in the same magazine, accusing Dawkins of engaging in "rhetoric" and making "little connection to the part he criticizes." In a 2014 interview, Wilson further dismissed Dawkins's criticisms, stating, "There is no dispute between me and Richard Dawkins and there never has been, because he's a journalist, and journalists are people that report what the scientists have found and the arguments I've had have actually been with scientists doing research."
Dawkins retorted on social media, tweeting, "I greatly admire EO Wilson & his huge contributions to entomology, ecology, biogeography, conservation, etc. He's just wrong on kin selection," and later adding, "Anybody who thinks I'm a journalist who reports what other scientists think is invited to read The Extended Phenotype." Biologist Jerry Coyne characterized Wilson's remarks as "unfair, inaccurate, and uncharitable." Despite the acrimony, Dawkins stated in Wilson's 2021 obituary that their dispute was "purely scientific" and reaffirmed his "profound admiration for Professor Wilson and his life work," while standing by his critical review.
6.3. Support for J. Philippe Rushton
Following E.O. Wilson's death, his personal correspondences, donated to the Library of Congress, revealed evidence of his long-standing support for psychologist J. Philippe Rushton, whose work on race and intelligence is widely regarded by the scientific community as deeply flawed, pseudoscientific, and racist. Rushton was a controversial figure at the University of Western Ontario and later headed the Pioneer Fund, an organization known for funding research on eugenics and racial differences.
From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Wilson wrote several emails to Rushton's colleagues defending Rushton's work. This support came despite widespread criticism of Rushton for scholarly misconduct, misrepresentation of data, and confirmation bias, all allegedly used to support his personal ideas on race. Wilson also sponsored an article written by Rushton in the PNAS. During the review process for this article, Wilson intentionally sought out reviewers whom he believed would likely already agree with its premise, raising concerns about academic integrity.
Evidence suggests that Wilson kept his support for Rushton's racist ideologies largely behind-the-scenes to avoid drawing too much attention to himself or tarnishing his own reputation. In response to another request from Rushton to sponsor a second PNAS article, Wilson wrote, "You have my support in many ways, but for me to sponsor an article on racial differences in the PNAS would be counterproductive for both of us." He further remarked that the reason Rushton's ideologies were not more widely supported was due to "fear of being called racist, which is virtually a death sentence in American academia if taken seriously. I admit that I myself have tended to avoid the subject of Rushton's work, out of fear."
In 2022, the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, on behalf of its board of directors and staff, issued a statement rejecting Wilson's support of Rushton and racism, reaffirming their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion after reviewing the correspondence. This controversy highlights a complex and troubling aspect of Wilson's legacy, contrasting with his celebrated contributions to conservation and biodiversity.
7. Later Life and Legacy
E.O. Wilson's later life was characterized by continued intellectual productivity and a deepening commitment to his environmental and scientific foundations, solidifying his enduring legacy.
7.1. Retirement and Continued Work
In 1996, Wilson officially retired from Harvard University, where he continued to hold the positions of Professor Emeritus and Honorary Curator in Entomology. He fully retired from Harvard in 2002 at the age of 73. Even after stepping down from his formal academic roles, Wilson remained remarkably prolific, publishing more than a dozen books, including a digital biology textbook for the iPad. His continued engagement with scientific and environmental issues demonstrated his unwavering dedication to his fields. As part of an agreement, he also became a special lecturer at Duke University, further extending his influence and teaching.
7.2. E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Wilson founded the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, an independent organization dedicated to supporting conservation efforts and promoting scientific literacy and engagement. The foundation finances the PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, which recognizes excellence in science writing. It operates as an independent foundation associated with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. The foundation's mission aligns with Wilson's lifelong advocacy for biodiversity, aiming to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world and to advance conservation through scientific research and public education.
7.3. Recognition and Influence
E.O. Wilson is widely recognized as a leading naturalist and has been called the "father of biodiversity," "ant man," and "Darwin's heir." His profound influence spans multiple scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology, ecology, and conservation biology, as well as public understanding of the natural world.
David Attenborough, in a PBS interview, described Wilson as "a magic name to many of us working in the natural world, for two reasons. First, he is a towering example of a specialist, a world authority. Nobody in the world has ever known as much as Ed Wilson about ants. But, in addition to that intense knowledge and understanding, he has the widest of pictures. He sees the planet and the natural world that it contains in amazing detail but extraordinary coherence."
His legacy is characterized by his ability to synthesize vast amounts of information, bridge scientific disciplines, and communicate complex ideas to a broad audience. He transformed the study of social behavior with sociobiology, revolutionized ecology with island biogeography, and galvanized the conservation movement with his passionate advocacy for biodiversity and proposals like Half-Earth. His work continues to shape scientific research, environmental policy, and the public's appreciation for life on Earth.
8. Personal Life
Edward O. Wilson was married to Irene Kelley. They resided in Lexington, Massachusetts. He had one daughter, Catherine. His wife, Irene, passed away on August 7, 2021, just a few months before his own death.
9. Death
Edward Osborne Wilson died in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 26, 2021, at the age of 92.
10. Awards and Honors
E.O. Wilson received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his significant contributions to science, literature, and conservation:
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, elected 1959
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences, elected 1969
- Member of the American Philosophical Society, elected 1976
- U.S. National Medal of Science, 1977
- Leidy Award, from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1979
- Pulitzer Prize for On Human Nature, 1979
- Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, 1984
- ECI Prize, International Ecology Institute, terrestrial ecology, 1987
- Honorary doctorate from Uppsala University, Sweden, 1987
- Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, 1988
- His books The Insect Societies and Sociobiology: The New Synthesis were honored with the Science Citation Classic award by the Institute for Scientific Information.
- Crafoord Prize, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 1990
- Pulitzer Prize for The Ants (with Bert Hölldobler), 1991
- International Prize for Biology, 1993
- Carl Sagan Award for Public Understanding of Science, 1994
- The National Audubon Society's Audubon Medal, 1995
- Time magazine's 25 Most Influential People in America, 1995
- Certificate of Distinction, International Congresses of Entomology, Florence, Italy, 1996
- Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences of the American Philosophical Society, 1998
- American Humanist Association's Humanist of the Year, 1999
- Lewis Thomas Prize for Writing about Science, 2000
- Nierenberg Prize, 2001
- Busk Medal by the Royal Geographical Society, 2002
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, 2004
- The Dauphin Island Sea Lab christened one of its research vessels the R/V E.O. Wilson.
- Linnean Tercentenary Silver Medal, 2006
- Addison Emery Verrill Medal from the Peabody Museum of Natural History, 2007
- TED Prize, 2007
- XIX Premi Internacional Catalunya, 2007
- E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center on Nokuse Plantation in Walton County, Florida, 2009
- The Explorers Club Medal, 2009
- 2010 BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Ecology and Conservation Biology Category
- Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture, 2010
- 2010 Heartland Prize for fiction for his first novel Anthill: A Novel
- EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year, 2010
- International Cosmos Prize, 2012
- Kew International Medal, 2014
- Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from the American Museum of Natural History, 2014
- 2016 Harper Lee Award
- Commemoration in the species' epithet of Myrmoderus eowilsoni (a species of antbird), 2018
- Commemoration in the species' epithet of Miniopterus wilsoni (a species of bat), 2020
11. Major Works
E.O. Wilson authored or co-authored numerous influential books throughout his career, spanning scientific treatises, popular science, and autobiography.
- Character displacement (1956), coauthored with William Brown Jr. This paper, honored in 1986 as a Science Citation Classic, described how similar species evolve distinct traits in shared environments to reduce competition.
- The Theory of Island Biogeography (1967), with Robert MacArthur. This foundational work introduced the theory explaining species diversity on islands based on immigration and extinction rates.
- The Insect Societies (1971). This book explored the complex social behaviors of insects, laying the groundwork for his later work on sociobiology.
- Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975). This seminal work applied evolutionary principles to explain social behavior across the animal kingdom, including humans, establishing the field of sociobiology.
- On Human Nature (1979). This book delved into the biological basis of human culture and behavior, earning him a Pulitzer Prize.
- Genes, Mind and Culture: The Coevolutionary Process (1981). This work, co-authored with Charles Lumsden, proposed the theory of gene-culture coevolution.
- Promethean Fire: Reflections on the Origin of Mind (1983). This book explored the evolutionary origins of the human mind.
- Biophilia (1984). This work introduced the concept of biophilia, the innate human tendency to connect with nature.
- Success and Dominance in Ecosystems: The Case of the Social Insects (1990). This book examined the ecological success of social insects.
- The Ants (1990), with Bert Hölldobler. This comprehensive and encyclopedic work on ants earned him a second Pulitzer Prize.
- The Diversity of Life (1992). This book highlighted the importance of biodiversity and warned about the ongoing mass extinction crisis.
- The Biophilia Hypothesis (1993), with Stephen R. Kellert. This book further explored the concept of biophilia.
- Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration (1994), with Bert Hölldobler. This book offered a narrative of ant research and discovery.
- Naturalist (1994). Wilson's autobiography, detailing his life and scientific journey.
- In Search of Nature (1996), with Laura Simonds Southworth. A collection of essays exploring various aspects of the natural world.
- Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (1998). This book argued for the integration of knowledge across the sciences and humanities.
- The Future of Life (2002). This book focused on the global biodiversity crisis and strategies for conservation.
- Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus (2003). A specialized scientific work on a specific ant genus.
- The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth (2006). This book called for cooperation between science and religion to address environmental challenges.
- Nature Revealed: Selected Writings 1949-2006. A collection of his significant scientific writings.
- The Superorganism: The Beauty, Elegance, and Strangeness of Insect Societies (2009), with Bert Hölldobler. This book explored the complex organization of insect societies.
- Anthill: A Novel (2010). Wilson's first novel, blending fiction with scientific themes.
- Kingdom of Ants: Jose Celestino Mutis and the Dawn of Natural History in the New World (2010), with José María Gómez Durán. This book explored early natural history in the New World.
- The Leafcutter Ants: Civilization by Instinct (2011), with Bert Hölldobler. A detailed look at the fascinating world of leafcutter ants.
- The Social Conquest of Earth (2012). This book explored the evolutionary origins of human social behavior.
- Letters to a Young Scientist (2014). A book offering advice and insights for aspiring scientists.
- A Window on Eternity: A Biologist's Walk Through Gorongosa National Park (2014). A narrative account of his scientific expeditions.
- The Meaning of Human Existence (2014). This book explored fundamental questions about humanity's place in the universe.
- Half-Earth (2016). This book proposed setting aside half of the Earth's surface for nature to preserve biodiversity.
- The Origins of Creativity (2017). This book explored the biological and evolutionary roots of human creativity.
- Genesis: The Deep Origin of Societies (2019). This book delved into the fundamental origins of social organization.
- Tales from the Ant World (2020). A collection of stories and observations from his lifelong study of ants.
- Naturalist: A Graphic Adaptation (2020), with Jim Ottaviani. A graphic novel adaptation of his autobiography.
- Edited works:**