NATURALIST [Signed]

Washington, DC: Island Press, 1994. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Octavo, 280 pages. In Very Good condition with a Very Good condition dust jacket. Spine is cream with teal and black text. Dust jacket protected by mylar covering and has mild shelving wear along spine head and tail. Boards have mild shelving wear along spine head and tail. Mild soiling along text block head edge. Contains original receipt of purchase. Signed flat by Edward O. Wilson on title page. Shelved in hallway. E.O. Wilson (1929-2021) was an American naturalist, sociobiologist, and entomologist. His work and theories are credited as foundational to the field of evolutionary biology. Growing up in towns all throughout the American South inspired E.O. Wilson's love for nature from an early age. In his late teens, he became dedicated to studying the taxonomy of ants and butterflies, which Wilson pursued through expeditions in Washington, D.C.'s Rock Creek park. He expanded these interests academically, attending the University of Alabama for one year before transferring to Harvard. He went on to receive his PhD. in 1955 and continued working for Harvard until 1996. In the 50s and 60s, Wilson did a series of observations which led to the publication of two major theories in evolutionary biology: character displacement and island biogeography. This work formed the basis for the two Pulitzer-prize winning non-fiction pieces Wilson would later go on to produce: ON HUMAN NATURE (1978) and THE ANTS (1990). THE NATURALIST is Wilson's reflection upon his lifetime of achievement and all of the passions and successes that led to a longtime career in evolutionary biology. Scarcely found signed, this beautiful copy of THE NATURALIST is a remarkable testament to the intelligence and music of life. 1387762. Special Collections.