Stephen Jay Gould

About the author

Stephen Jay Gould (1941–2002) was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science who became one of the most widely read popular-science writers of his generation. Based at Harvard University and the American Museum of Natural History, he co-developed with Niles Eldredge the landmark theory of punctuated equilibrium (1972), challenging the notion that evolution proceeds by smooth, continuous change. His empirical work centered on land snails, while his 300 essays in Natural History magazine and numerous books brought rigorous evolutionary thinking to broad audiences.

He also campaigned publicly against creationism and biological determinism.