Ernst Walter Mayr was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists. source
Ernst Walter Mayr was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists.
Ernst Mayr was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer, ornithologist, philosopher of biology, and historian of science. source
Ernst Mayr was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer, ornithologist, philosopher of biology, and historian of science.
Born in Kempten, Germany on July 5, 1904 to a jurist father, Ernst Mayr showed an early interest in ornithology. source
Born in Kempten, Germany on July 5, 1904 to a jurist father, Ernst Mayr showed an early interest in ornithology.
He died in Bedford, Massachusetts on February 3, 2005. He was 100 years old. source
He died in Bedford, Massachusetts on February 3, 2005. He was 100 years old.
Ernst Mayr work contributed to the conceptual revolution that led to the modern evolutionary synthesis of Mendelian genetics, systematics, and Darwinian evolution, and to the development of the biological species concept. source
Ernst Mayr work contributed to the conceptual revolution that led to the modern evolutionary synthesis of Mendelian genetics, systematics, and Darwinian evolution, and to the development of the biological species concept.
Ernst Mayr approached the problem with a new definition for species. source
Ernst Mayr approached the problem with a new definition for species.
In his book Systematics and the Origin of Species (1942) Ernst Mayr wrote that a species is not just a group of morphologically similar individuals, but a group that can breed only among themselves, excluding all others. source
In his book Systematics and the Origin of Species (1942) Ernst Mayr wrote that a species is not just a group of morphologically similar individuals, but a group that can breed only among themselves, excluding all others.
Ernst Mayr's theory of peripatric speciation, based on his work on birds, is still considered a leading mode of speciation, and was the theoretical underpinning for the theory of punctuated equilibrium. source
Ernst Mayr's theory of peripatric speciation, based on his work on birds, is still considered a leading mode of speciation, and was the theoretical underpinning for the theory of punctuated equilibrium.
Ernst Mayr is sometimes credited with inventing modern philosophy of biology, particularly the part related to evolutionary biology, which he distinguished from physics due to its introduction of (natural) history into science. source
Ernst Mayr is sometimes credited with inventing modern philosophy of biology, particularly the part related to evolutionary biology, which he distinguished from physics due to its introduction of (natural) history into science.
Ernst Mayr learnt all the local birds in Würzburg from his elder brother Otto. He also had access to a natural history magazine for amateurs, Kosmos. source
Ernst Mayr learnt all the local birds in Würzburg from his elder brother Otto. He also had access to a natural history magazine for amateurs, Kosmos.
In April 1922, while still in high school, Ernst Mayr joined the newly founded Saxony Ornithologists’ Association. Here he met Rudolf Zimmermann, who became his ornithological mentor. source
In April 1922, while still in high school, Ernst Mayr joined the newly founded Saxony Ornithologists’ Association. Here he met Rudolf Zimmermann, who became his ornithological mentor.
In February 1923, Ernst Mayr passed his high school examination (Abitur) and his mother rewarded him with a pair of binoculars. source
In February 1923, Ernst Mayr passed his high school examination (Abitur) and his mother rewarded him with a pair of binoculars.
Ernst Mayr completed his doctorate in ornithology at the University of Berlin under Dr. Carl Zimmer, who was a full professor (Ordentlicher Professor), on 24 June 1926 at the age of 21. source
Ernst Mayr completed his doctorate in ornithology at the University of Berlin under Dr. Carl Zimmer, who was a full professor (Ordentlicher Professor), on 24 June 1926 at the age of 21.
On 1 July Ernst Mayr accepted the position offered to him at the museum for a monthly salary of 330.54 Reichsmark. source
On 1 July Ernst Mayr accepted the position offered to him at the museum for a monthly salary of 330.54 Reichsmark.
In New Guinea, Ernst Mayr collected several thousand bird skins (he named 26 new bird species during his lifetime) and, in the process also named 38 new orchid species. source
In New Guinea, Ernst Mayr collected several thousand bird skins (he named 26 new bird species during his lifetime) and, in the process also named 38 new orchid species.
After Ernst Mayr was appointed at the American Museum of Natural History, he influenced American ornithological research by mentoring young birdwatchers. source
After Ernst Mayr was appointed at the American Museum of Natural History, he influenced American ornithological research by mentoring young birdwatchers.
Ernst Mayr was surprised at the differences between American and German birding societies. source
Ernst Mayr was surprised at the differences between American and German birding societies.
Ernst Mayr joined the faculty of Harvard University in 1953, where he also served as director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology from 1961 to 1970. source
Ernst Mayr joined the faculty of Harvard University in 1953, where he also served as director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology from 1961 to 1970.
On his 100th birthday, Ernst Mayr was interviewed by Scientific American magazine. source
On his 100th birthday, Ernst Mayr was interviewed by Scientific American magazine.
The awards that Ernst Mayr received include the National Medal of Science, the Balzan Prize, the Sarton Medal of the History of Science Society, the International Prize for Biology and many others. source
The awards that Ernst Mayr received include the National Medal of Science, the Balzan Prize, the Sarton Medal of the History of Science Society, the International Prize for Biology and many others.
In 1939 Ernst Mayr was elected a Corresponding Member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. He was awarded the 1946 Leidy Award from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. source
In 1939 Ernst Mayr was elected a Corresponding Member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. He was awarded the 1946 Leidy Award from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Ernst Mayr was co-author of six global reviews of bird species new to science. source
Ernst Mayr was co-author of six global reviews of bird species new to science.
Ernst Mayr said he was an atheist towards "the idea of a personal God" because "there is nothing that supports [it]" source
Ernst Mayr said he was an atheist towards "the idea of a personal God" because "there is nothing that supports [it]"
Ernst Mayr was an outspoken defender of the scientific method, and one known to sharply critique science on the edge. source
Ernst Mayr was an outspoken defender of the scientific method, and one known to sharply critique science on the edge.