Loren Eiseley

Loren Corey Eiseley (September 3rd, 1907–July 9th, 1977) was a highly respected anthropologist, science writer, ecologist, and poet who published books of essays, biography, and general science, in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. He is best known for the poetic essay style, called the "hidden essay', he used to explain complex scientific ideas, such as human evolution, to the general public, and for his writings about humanity's relationship with the natural world, which helped inspire the environmental movement. Among his books are The Immense Journey (1957), Darwin's Century (1958), The Unexpected Universe (1969), The Night Country (1971), and the memoir All the Strange Hours (1975).

Eiseley's Youth

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Eiseley lived a hard childhood with a distant father and deaf mother who suffered from possible mental illness. After his father's death, he dropped out of high school and worked various jobs before enrolling in the University of Nebraska, where he also worked as an archaeologist.

Related Topics:
Lincoln, Nebraska - Mental illness - University of Nebraska - Archaeologist

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Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1933, Eiseley left the university and moved to the western United States desert, believing the air would improve his condition. However, he was restless and unhappy and eventually began hoboing around the country, riding freight trains (as many others did during the Great Depression). Eiseley later described these travels in All the Strange Hours, which many critics consider to be his masterpiece.

Related Topics:
Tuberculosis - United States - Desert - Great Depression

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