Rachel Carson Biography

May 27, 2007 12:55 pm

— Rachel Louise Carson was born on a family farm in Springdale, Pa. on May 27, 1907.
After obtaining a master’s degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins in 1932, Carson taught there and at the University of Maryland for several years before accepting a position with the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries as a science writer working on radio scripts.
Carson later scored the highest grade on a civil service exam and became a junior aquatic biologist, which was rare for a woman at the time.
Carson’s first book, “Under the Sea Wind,” was published in 1941. Though the book received critical acclaim, it was not a commercial success. Her next published endeavor “The Sea Around Us” found itself on the New York Times best-seller list for 86 weeks, and received the 1952 National Book Award.
With that success, Carson gave up her job as chief editor of publications for the Fish and Wildlife Service, and finished her sea trilogy in 1955 with “The Edge of the Sea.”
A letter from a friend who owned a bird sanctuary piqued Carson’s interest in the correlation of spraying insecticides and its effects on wildlife, particularly birds.
After four years of research and writing, Carson’s renowned opus, “The Silent Spring” went to print.
“Silent Spring” was not embraced by all, especially the chemical-industry giants.
Carson was not against all pesticides, but advocated using safer sprays and minimal amounts.
Publisher Houghton Mifflin was pressured to suppress the book, but would not give in.
Carson received many accolades and awards for her work. Among honors were those from The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Audubon Society, American Geographical Society, and posthumously The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Carson was diagnosed with breast cancer while writing “Silent Spring,” and died at age 56 on April 14, 1964.
— By Staff Writer Alvin Reiner