Rachel Carson – American biologist and writer
Rachel Carson was an American biologist, writer and environmentalist. In her book The Sea Around Us (1951), the scientific accuracy is combined with a wonderful description of nature. In 1962 the book Silent spring brought Carson worldwide popularity. It is dedicated to the harmful effects of pesticides on living organisms, especially birds.
Rachel Louise Carson was born on May 27, 1907 in Pennsylvania. In her childhood she spent long hours learning of field, pond, and forest from her mother.
In 1928, she graduated from Pennsylvania College for Women with a degree in zoology and went on to earn a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University.
In 1935, Rachel began to work in the American Service of Fisheries and Wildlife. At the same time she wrote for magazines and local newspapers.
Her first book Under the Sea-wind was published in 1941 and was translated into 30 languages. Carson received the National Book Award, the Gold Medal of the New York Zoological Society, and the John Burroughs Medal.
The book The Sea Around Us was published in 1951 and brought her fame. It topped the list of best-sellers for many weeks and was a National Book Award winner.
In 1952, Rachel left government service and devoted herself to writing.
One day friends brought her a few blackbirds affected by DDT – a substance which protects crops from pests. So, Rachel was involved in the environmental protection. She was often against powerful corporations and government agencies. The book Silent Spring caused a wide resonance and increased the number of environmentalists. The book is considered the initiator of the development of a new environmental movement. Silent Spring has become a classic of environmental literature.
Her work contributed to the development of the environmental movement in the United States and other countries.
Rachel Carson died on April 14, 1964 in Silver Spring, Maryland after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was posthumously awarded the Jimmy Carter Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Rachel successfully combined professionally the two great loves of her life, biology and writing.