Rachel Carson

“In nature nothing exists alone.”

  • Name: Rachel Carson
  • Born: May 27, 1907
  • Died: April 14, 1964
  • From: Springdale, PA, U.S.A
  • Pronouns: She/her
  • Contribution/Impact: Carson is considered the ‘founder’ of the global enviro movement. She wrote the book Silent Spring in 1962 about the effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment. Her work is the basis for the creation of the US EPA. This movement led to the creation of organizations like Greenpeace, World Wildlife fund.
  • Occupation: Author, Marine Biologist, Conservationist
  • Known For: Silent Springs (1962)
  • Awards: Posthumously awarded the President Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter, U.S. National Book Award for The Sea Around Us
  • Interesting Facts: Carson released a trilogy of bestselling books called The Sea Around Us, The Edge of of the Sea and Under the Sea Wind that explores ocean life.
Rachel Carson
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

She criticized an entire industry during a time where this was extremely risky. And although the Chemical industry fought back, publicity around issues like cancer and unexplained bird deaths led the public to agree with her overwhelmingly. She proved that government ‘regulation’ of these issues was nothing more than propaganda.  During her lifetime, she wasn’t officially out; attacks from the pesticide industry and other backlash forced her to hide her private life, and letters and pictures found after her death lead to the conclusion that she was gay. 

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