Stephen Jay Gould

natural-history essays; punctuated-equilibrium popularizer.

Gould was a palaeontologist and professor at Harvard University who wrote a monthly essay column for Natural History magazine for 27 years. With Niles Eldredge he proposed punctuated equilibrium, challenging the view that evolution proceeds at a uniform pace. His books, including The Panda's Thumb and Wonderful Life, brought rigorous scientific thinking to a broad general audience.