E.O. Wilson, an American naturalist dubbed the modern day Darwin whose interest in ants led him to conclusions about human nature being directed by genetics rather than culture, died on Sunday at the age of 92, his foundation said.
Summary
- Wilson, an American naturalist dubbed the modern day Darwin whose interest in ants led him to conclusions about human nature being directed by genetics rather than culture, died on Sunday at the age of 92, his foundation said.
- Wilson presented his views in over 30 books, two of which - “On Human Nature” in 1979 and “The Ants” in 1991 - won Pulitzer Prizes for non-fiction.
- By coming out in favor of human nature over nurture, he set off a firestorm of criticism, with his harshest opponents accusing him of being racist and sexist.
- One protester threw water on Wilson while he was speaking at a conference as others chanted, “Wilson, you’re all wet.”
- Wilson graduated from the University of Alabama and earned a doctorate at Harvard University, where he taught for several decades.