Book Description

Anyone curious about nature and Indiana will find interest in this collective biography of naturalists who were in some way connected to the Hoosier state. Experts of the natural world, the naturalists herein were individuals whose fascination with nature became their lifelong passion. Ranging from dedicated amateurs to specialized scientists, some renowned and others unfamiliar, their time in Indiana may have been brief as was John Muir, or nearly permanent as Gene Stratton-Porter. Once the scientific center of the American frontier, New Harmony attracted naturalists such as William Maclure, Thomas Say and Charles Alexandre Lesueur. This book profiles 38 noted naturalists who have made enduring contributions to Indiana's natural heritage over the course of the past 200 years. Arranged chronologically, the brief biographical accounts shed light on their lives and achievements. From the pioneering naturalist-explorer of the late 18th century, to the 21st century scientist-ecologist, the role of the naturalist has evolved from a collection-gathering-cataloging adventurer to a steadfast scientific preservationist who proposes a new alliance with nature.