Rachel Carson
Who is she?
American Marine Biologist and Writer
Through her novel "Silent Spring", she brought awareness into the effects and dangers of DDT and pesticides
Early Achievements
She had her first story published at age 10 in a children’s magazine
Only 11 yrs old, she won first place for a published story in St. Nicholas Magazine
Education
Attended the Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University)
Started studying for an English major, but then switched to a Biology major
Graduated magna cum laude in 1929
Further Education
In 1932, she received her masters in zoology from John Hopkins University
Due to the Great Depression, she then left John Hopkins to look for a job
Work
In 1936, Carson joined the US Bureau of Fisheries
Brochures, radio scripts, and other materials for public viewing
She continued working here for 15 years
The last three years there as the editor in chief of all the service’s publications
Writing Career
Carson used her research to write articles for newspapers as a way to generate more income.
Her First Book
Her article for The Atlantic Monthly, “Undersea”, became the basis for Carson’s first book published in 1941, Under The Sea Wind
What's it about? The behavior of organisms that live both on and in the sea on the Atlantic coast
The Sea Around Us
Published in 1951
A detailed biography and study of the ocean
Awards
For her writing, Carson received several awards.
Awards include...
National Book Award
Guggenheim grant
The Sea Around Us
Translated into 30 languages worldwide
Personal life
Carson moved to Southport Island, Maine, where she continued to write several articles to educate people on the wonders of nature
She began a relationship with Dorothy Freeman
Most interaction through letters, most of which were destroyed before her death
In 1957, her niece, Marjorie, died
Carson adopted her son, then moved to care for her mother
She continued to write about nature
Silent Spring
Carson was increasingly concerned by the use of pesticides after WWII
She finally published her most influential and important work in 1962
The novel facts
The book criticized the practices of agricultural scientists
Focused on the long-term effects of pesticides on the ecosystems
Their impacts on humans, including the increased risk of cancer
She challenged the government’s part in spreading misinformation
Response
The chemical industry was quick to attack Carson on her writings
Labeled her as an alarmist, communist, or a simple hysteric woman
Unfaltering, Carson continued her mission
Support
In 1963, Carson testified before Congress, calling for new policies to protect the environment
President John F. Kennedy’s Science Advisory Committee Report confirmed her research
This led to DDT and other pesticides being labeled as a public health issue
The Aftermath
Carson was given medals from several institutions, including the National Audubon Society and the American Geographical Society.
Death
1964 — After a long battle against breast cancer, Carson died just two years after Silent Spring’s publication.
Posthumously
Posthumously, Rachel Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.