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Early Life
Stephen Jay Gould was born in New York City on Sep. 10, 1941. Gould’s parents and teachers encouraged his interest in science from a young age. As a child he was interested in evolution and considered Darwin to be a hero. Gould completed undergraduate studies in 1963 at Antioch College in Ohio, and graduate studies in evolutionary biology and paleontology at Columbia University where he earned his doctorate. -
Marriage and Teaching
Gould married artist Deborah Lee on Oct. 3, 1965. In 1966 he began teaching at Antioch College as professor of geology. He began teaching at Harvard in 1967, by 1973 he was promoted to full professor of geology. -
Schuchert Award
In 1975 Gould was a recipient of this award from the Paleontological Society for his original work in evolutionary theory, he argued against biological determinism. -
The Panda’s Thumb
Gould received two awards for his book The Panda’s Thumb, the Notable Book citation from the American Library Association in 1980 and the American Book Award in Science for 1981. He used this book to help validate the evolutionary idea called punctuated equilibrium. -
Gould vs Creationism
Little Rock Arkansas 1981. Gould was an expert witness in court case that confronted a state law ordering schools to teach creation science in addition to evolution. In his testimony Gould claimed that the theories of creationism are contradicted by all available scientific evidence and should not be considered scientific. -
Cancer
Gould was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1982. Treatment was successful, and he recovered. He died of cancer on May 20, 2002.
