Stephen Jay Gould
American biologist and historian of science (1941-2002) · United States · On the map · Scientists · Died at 60
Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, historian of science, and one of the most widely read authors of popular science of his generation. He is considered by many to be one of the most influential figures in evolutionary biology.
Stephen Jay Gould is read about 510 times a day, in 53 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 8 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 409 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
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Gould's inspiration to become a paleontologist: T. rex specimen AMNH 5027, American Museum of Natural History, New York City
The punctuated equilibrium model (above) consists of morphological stability followed by episodic bursts of evolutionary change via rapid cladogenesis. It is contrasted (below) to phyletic gradualism, a more gradual, continuous model of evolution.
A spandrel from the Holy Trinity Church in Fulnek, Czech Republic
Cerion shells from San Salvador Island, the BahamasAwards
About this person
Gould spent most of his career teaching at Harvard University and working at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. In 1996, Gould was hired as the Vincent Astor Visiting Research Professor of Biology at New York University, after which he divided his time teaching between there and Harvard.
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The same award as Stephen
Celâl ŞengörBoth received Mary C. Rabbitt History And Philosophy of Geology Award
Naomi OreskesBoth received Mary C. Rabbitt History And Philosophy of Geology AwardNiles EldredgeBoth received Charles Schuchert Award
Philippe TaquetBoth received Sue Tyler Friedman MedalSimon Conway MorrisBoth received Charles Schuchert Award
Ursula B. MarvinBoth received Sue Tyler Friedman Medal