Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jared Diamond

Role / Field:

Author and scientist known for popular works on history, ecology, and human civilization.

Born:

1937-09-10

Century / Era:

1937s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Jared Mason Diamond (born September 10, 1937) is an American scientist, historian, and author. He has written hundreds of scientific and popular articles and books, most notably Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997), which received multiple awards, including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. In 2005, Diamond was ranked ninth on a poll by Prospect and Foreign Policy of the world's top 100 public intellectuals. Originally trained in biochemistry and physiology, Diamond has published in many fields, including anthropology, ecology, geography, and evolutionary biology.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1985, he received a MacArthur Genius Grant and in 1999, the National Medal of Science, an honor bestowed by the President of the United States and the National Science Foundation. He was a professor of geography at UCLA until his retirement in 2024. Despite widespread popularity in the pop science market, for decades his work has been harshly criticized by working researchers in the topics he publishes on. Many historians, anthropologists, and geographers such as the noted environmental historian Andrew Sluyter have published extensive analysis of many basic factual and logical errors in Diamond's work, and discussing...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Aleksandr Medved — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Legendary Soviet/Belarussian freestyle wrestler, celebrated for Olympic dominance.
• Alfred Adler — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): Founder of Individual Psychology, emphasizing social interest and belonging.
• Adrian Frutiger — Shared historical date (09-10 · Died) (2015): Pioneering Swiss typeface designer, master of sans-serif aesthetics.
• Agostinho Neto — Shared historical date (09-10 · Died) (1979): Angolan communist revolutionary, poet, and first President of Angola.
• Anatoly Khazanov — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Soviet-American anthropologist and historian specializing in nomadic cultures.
• Andrew Mellon — Historical peer (Died in 1937) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Aldo Rossi — Historical peer (Died in 1997) (1997): Pioneering Italian architect, theorist, and proponent of Postmodernism.
• Allen Ginsberg — Historical peer (Died in 1997) (1997): Pioneering American poet, central figure of the Beat Generation, known for 'Howl'.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Historical peer (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• September 10 (09-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 10

Frequently Asked Questions about Jared Diamond