Origins & Early Life

Paul Ralph Ehrlich (May 29, 1932 – March 13, 2026) was an American biologist, author, and environmentalist known for his predictions and warnings about the consequences of population growth, including famine and resource depletion. Ehrlich was the Bing Professor of Population Studies of the Department of Biology of Stanford University. He started working at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve in 1959. He along with many other biology professors, led the efforts for Stanford University to designate and protect Jasper Ridge in 1973 as a biological preserve and as a long-term research facility for faculty and students.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ehrlich became well known for the controversial 1968 book The Population Bomb, which he co-authored with his wife Anne H. Ehrlich, in which they famously stated that "[i]n the 1970s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now." This position has led historians and critics to describe Ehrlich as a neo-Malthusian. There are mixed views on Ehrlich's assertions on the dangers of expanding human populations. While statistician Paul A. Murtaugh says that Ehrlich was largely correct, Ehrlich has been criticized for his approach...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1932 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1932
• May 29 (05-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 29
• 2026 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2026
• March 13 (03-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 13