Stephen Gould American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist and historian of science Date of Birth: 10.09.1941 Country: USA

Biography of Stephen Jay Gould

Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. He was born in 1941 in Queens, New York City, and grew up in a quiet suburban neighborhood. His father worked as a stenographer in a court, while his mother was an artist. When he was five years old, his father took him to the Hall of Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History, where he was captivated by the sight of a Tyrannosaurus rex. This experience sparked his interest in paleontology, and he decided to become a paleontologist.

Gould came from a non-religious Jewish family, and he considered himself an agnostic. He was raised in an environment where his father was a supporter of Marxism, while Gould leaned towards left-leaning views. As a scientist, he always spoke out against any form of discrimination, whether it be racial or otherwise.

Gould studied at Antioch College, where he received a degree in geology in 1963. He also studied abroad at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He then obtained his doctorate degree from Columbia University and began teaching at Harvard University in 1967. He remained at Harvard until his death in 2002.

In 1973, Gould became the curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard. In the mid-1980s, he served as the president of the Paleontological Society, and in the early 1990s, he was also the president of the Society for the Study of Evolution. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1989.

Gould's research focused on the theory of punctuated equilibrium and the identification of biological constraints that influence the direction of evolution. He wrote over 20 books and hundreds of other works, making him one of the most cited scientists in the field of evolutionary biology.

Despite being controversial within the scientific community, Gould's authority as a scientist could not be disputed. He was known for his rejection of creationist theories and his advocacy for the scientific explanation of the origin of life.

Gould was married twice. He first married artist Deborah Lee in 1965, with whom he had two children. In 1995, he married sculptor Rhonda Roland Shearer. In 1982, Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer. After undergoing a two-year treatment, he fully recovered. During his therapy, he used marijuana and became an advocate for its medical use.

Unfortunately, Gould eventually succumbed to cancer and passed away on May 20, 2002, at the age of 60. His publications, known for their clarity and eloquence, continue to inspire and captivate scientists, even those who were initially skeptical of his ideas. He is considered one of the greatest evolutionary biologists of the second half of the century, and his intellectual depth, insatiable curiosity, and scientific contributions have made him renowned worldwide. Despite his achievements, Gould cared little about his public image, as he was fully dedicated to his scientific pursuits.