Renowned Scientist Edward O. Wilson Dies At 92 In Burlington

BURLINGTON, MA — World renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson died Sunday at his home in Burlington, leaving behind decades of work in natural science that earned him the title "Darwin’s natural heir."

Wilson, 92, was born in Birmingham, Ala., and studied at the University of Alabama and Harvard University. He rose to prominence in the 1970s as an entomologist, studying the behavior of ants and similar species. Those studies led him to the theory of sociobiology, asserting that genetic traits play a role in human and animal development.

Wilson also founded the discipline of biogeography, and unifying concepts like biophilia, biodiversity studies and consilience. He founded the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation in 2005.

“E.O. Wilson’s holy grail was the sheer delight of the pursuit of knowledge," E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation CEO Paula J. Ehrlich said in a death announcement. "A relentless
synthesizer of ideas, his courageous scientific focus and poetic voice transformed our
way of understanding ourselves and our planet. His greatest hope was that students
everywhere share his passion for discovery as the ultimate scientific foundation for
future stewardship of our planet."

The foundation is planning a memorial service for Wilson sometime in 2022.