John Maynard Smith, RIP
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I seem to be full of bad news lately. Evolutionary biologist John Maynard Smith dies:
Professor John Maynard Smith, the internationally renowned evolutionary biologist, 84, died peacefully at home on April 19.
Maynard Smith was remarkable for the breadth of his contributions to biology, including his radical application of game theory to understanding evolutionary strategies, and his clear definition of the major transitions in the history of life. Maynard Smith was always enthusiastic about new data sources and continued to be a driving force in the use of molecular data to answer biological questions.
Like his mentor, J.B.S. Haldane (one of the founders of the modern synthesis of Darwinian evolution and genetics), Maynard Smith was deeply committed to making evolutionary ideas accessible to a wide audience. His book, The Theory of Evolution, inspired many of today’s leading researchers to become biologists. Despite his fame, he would nevertheless take time to discuss ideas with undergraduate students and eminent professors alike.
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It was my great priviliege to spend three hours over lunch with Maynard Smith in Canberra in 2002. He even let me finish his sandwich. We talked about species concepts, phylogenetic systematics, and adaptationism - David Penny was also there and ascerbic
I was amazed that a graduate student on the edge of empire would get such treatment from one of the century's greats. The press release is not exaggerating.
Incidentally, I nearly choked on that sandwich when he called Ernst Mayr "Uncle Ernie". Somehow that image didn't gel...