Darwin’s Man in Brazil: The Evolving Science of Fritz Müller

Description

“The thoroughly researched, well-illustrated, and definitive account of an important period, place, and scientist in the history of evolutionary biology.”—Edward O. Wilson, author of The Meaning of Human Existence   “Absolutely essential to anyone interested in the history of evolutionary theory, evolutionary science, or Darwinism. This volume will become the standard biography of Müller and will take its place on the short shelf of classic works in the history of modern biology.”—Thomas F. Glick, coeditor of The Literary and Cultural Reception of Charles Darwin in Europe   “This volume helps us gain a better understanding not only of Müller’s many contributions but also of the development of Darwin’s ideas about species diversity.”—Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, author of Unifying Biology   “A clear and detailed picture of a devoted naturalist and impressive man who accomplished a remarkable amount of work and whose impact on the development of natural science in the late nineteenth century has long been overlooked, until now.”—Julia Rodriguez, author of Civilizing Argentina:Science, Medicine, and the Modern State   Fritz Müller (1821–1897), though not as well known as his colleague Charles Darwin, belongs in the cohort of great nineteenth-century naturalists. Recovering Müller’s legacy, David A. West describes the close intellectual kinship between Müller and Darwin and details a lively correspondence that spanned seventeen years. The two scientists, despite living on separate continents, often discussed new research topics and exchanged groundbreaking ideas that unequivocally moved the field of evolutionary biology forward.   Müller was unique among naturalists testing Darwin’s theory of natural selection because he investigated an enormous diversity of plants and animals, corresponded with prominent scientists, and published important articles in Germany, England, the United States, and Brazil. Darwin frequently praised Müller’s powers of observation and interpretation, counting him among those scientists whose opinions he valued most.   Despite the importance and scope of his work, however, Müller is known for relatively few of his discoveries. West remedies this oversight, chronicling the life and work of this remarkable and overlooked man of science.