Who was E. O. Wilson? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Edward Osborne Wilson, Edward O. Wilson, E. O.

Died At Age: 92

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Irene Wilson

father: Edward Wilson

mother: Inez Wilson

children: Catherine Wilson

Born Country: United States

Biologists American Men

Died on: December 26, 2021

place of death: Burlington, Massachusetts, U.S.

More Facts

education: 1955 - Harvard University, 1950 - University of Alabama, 1949 - University of Alabama

awards: 1991; 1979 - Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction - The Ants; On Human Nature
2013 - Hubbard Medal
2010 - Heartland Prize

1993 - International Prize for Biology
1994 - Eminent Ecologist Award
2001 - Nierenberg Prize
2002 - kNatural World Book Prize
1975 - Guggenheim Fellowship for Natural Sciences; US & Canada
1977 - National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences
1990 - Crafoord Prize in Biosciences
2003 - Julia Ward Howe Prize
1999 - Clarence Cason Award

Recommended For You

1

What is E. O. Wilson known for?

E. O. Wilson is known for being a prominent biologist, researcher, and author who is considered one of the world's leading experts on ants and sociobiology.
2

What is E. O. Wilson's theory of biophilia?

E. O. Wilson's theory of biophilia suggests that humans have an innate connection to nature and other living organisms, which influences our well-being and mental health.
3

What is sociobiology according to E. O. Wilson?

Sociobiology, as defined by E. O. Wilson, is the scientific study of the biological basis of social behavior in animals, including humans, and how evolution influences social interactions.
4

How did E. O. Wilson contribute to the field of ecology?

E. O. Wilson made significant contributions to the field of ecology by pioneering the study of biodiversity, coining the term "biophilia," and advocating for conservation efforts to protect the environment and its species.
5

What was E. O. Wilson's perspective on the importance of biodiversity?

E. O. Wilson emphasized the critical importance of biodiversity for the health of ecosystems and the well-being of all living organisms, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the need for conservation measures to preserve biodiversity.

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Childhood & Early Life

Wilson was born on June 10, 1929 in the town of Birmingham, Alabama to Edward Wilson and Inez Wilson. In his early childhood, the Wilson family mainly lived in areas close to Washington DC and Mobile in Alabama.

His parents got divorced in 1936, when Wilson was only 7 years old and he started to live with Edward and his second wife. It was at this time that Wilson blinded an eye while fishing and though he underwent a cataract operation the vision in his left eye remained impaired.

From a very early age, Wilson was interested in insects and in particular he has a special attachment to ants; whose activities he studied with much care. By the time he was 18 he also became interested in flies but returned to study ants.

Wilson decided to make biology his career and enrolled in the ‘University of Alabama’. He was awarded his bachelor’s degree in the year 1949 and a year later he was awarded the MS in biology that paved the way for a highly successful career.

However Wilson’s thirst for knowledge did not end after acquiring the MS from the University of Alabama; he then proceeded to the hallowed Harvard University to earn a doctorate in biology in the year 1955. Subsequently he became a faculty member of Harvard.

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Career

It was in the year 1955, that Wilson came up with his first breakthrough in the study of ants as he finished taxonomic analysis of a particular breed of ants named Lasius and eventually came up with the concept of 'character displacement’ of species. He worked on the project with W. L. Brown.

1956 was a very productive year in Wilson’s career as he was successful in making more than one discovery. The first was the discovery of pheromones in ants that help in their communication and the second was the discovery of the taxon cycle which chronicled the changing habitats of different species.

He worked on the study of ants for many years and finally came up with his first major book titled ‘The Insect Societies’ in the year 1971. The book went on to win many accolades and is regarded as one of the most authoritative books on the subject ever written.

In the year 1975, Wilson came up with another unique branch of biological study known as socio-biology and published the book ‘Sociobiology: The New Synthesis’ which went on to become a famous but also controversial work among academicians.

His books ‘On Human Nature’ written in the year 1979, Wilson further explained the theories he first put forward in relation to socio-biology and applied it to the characteristics of human beings.

In 1990, he co-authored the book ‘The Ants’ with Bert Holldobler and the book was the sum total of all the research that he had done on the biological characteristics of ants of different species. The book won him another Pulitzer Prize.

Wilson continued to work diligently in various branches of biological science for many decades and in the year 1996, he gave up his teaching job at Harvard. He was a Professor Emeritus at Harvard and also held lectureship at ‘Duke University’.

In the year 1998, Wilson published the book ‘Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge’ that put forward different ways in which the different sciences could be united and in fact also suggested ways in which the sciences could amalgamate with the humanities.

Major Works

The book ‘Diversity of Life’ he published in the year 1992, also went on to become one of the best sellers of the period and the book also explained how the extinction of certain species came about due to the various activities of human beings.

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Award & Achievements

He won a Pulitzer Prize for the book ‘On Human Nature’ in the year 1979, and it remains one of the most important works on the subject of socio-biology.

Wilson won the ‘Crandoor Prize’ in the year 1990, for his theory on island biogeography and it is the highest prize in the biological sciences that is decided by the ‘Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’.

In the year 1991, he won the Pulitzer Prize again for his path breaking book ‘The Ants’ which he co-authored with Bert Holldobler.

‘TIME Magazine’, one of the most influential magazines in the world, named him among the top 25 most influential individuals in the USA.

Personal Life, Legacy & Death

E. O. Wilson got married in the year 1955 to Irene. They had one daughter named Catherine who was born to them thirteen years later.

Death

E. O. Wilson died on December 26, 2021, in nearby Burlington. He was 92.

Facts About E. O. Wilson

Wilson was known for his love of ants, having dedicated much of his research and writing to studying these fascinating creatures.

Wilson was a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author for his books "On Human Nature" and "The Ants."

He coined the term "biophilia," which refers to the innate connection and affinity that humans have with nature.

Wilson was a strong advocate for the conservation of biodiversity and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet's ecosystems.

In addition to his scientific work, Wilson was also a talented artist, with a passion for painting and drawing.

E. O. Wilson Biography

You wanted to know

What is E. O. Wilson known for?

What is E. O. Wilson's theory of biophilia?

What is sociobiology according to E. O. Wilson?

How did E. O. Wilson contribute to the field of ecology?

What was E. O. Wilson's perspective on the importance of biodiversity?

Death