Alexander Skutch

Summary

Alexander Skutch died eight days before his 100th birthday, just prior to the publication of this book. He will be remembered, first of all, as a scientist—a naturalist, a pioneering botanist, the world’s greatest expert on Central American birds, a legend in neo-tropical ornithology. But there was and is much more to tell about this remarkable man. To some mainstream environmentalists, he will remain a controversial and even heretical figure, especially in his espousal of biocompatibility over maximal biodiversity. For others, he will live on as an unmatched writer about nature who offers us a window into a beautiful and magical world. For still others, his thoughts on morals and religion are profoundly important, especially his belief in a religion that is neither dogmatic nor mystical, a form of spirituality that is both highly original and deeply moving.

Dr. Skutch often wrote of the central powers of appreciation in the human psyche. We are grateful that he was able to review and approve this short anthology of his work, which was begun as a labor of love to show our appreciation not only for his scientific, literary, and philosophical writing, but also for the example of his long and fruitful life.

About the Author

Alexander Skutch was a world-renowned tropical ornithologist, naturalist, pioneering botanist, and unmatched writer who offered readers a window into beautiful and magical natural world and a belief in a religion that is neither dogmatic nor mystical – a form of spirituality and ethics that is highly original and deeply moving. Skutch was born in Baltimore, MD and earned a doctorate in botany from Johns Hopkins University. For more than six decades and until his death in 2004, Skutch lived on a farm in Costa Rica.