"This fine biography of Fritz Müller (1821–97) explains how he helped Darwin shape his ideas on mimicry. . . . Ideal for students of natural history, historians of science, and other scholars."—Choice  
 
"A treasure trove of information for anyone interested in the development of the theory of natural selection."—Isis  
 
"Situates Müller’s research at the cutting edge of nineteenth-century natural science. Müller emerges here . . . as an essential figure in an active and collaborative scientific network."—Quarterly Review of Biology
 
"The depth and scope of research on this singular figure is impressive."—H-Net  
 
"Offers an unfiltered view into science of the mid-nineteenth century, when evolutionary theory had its origins. West makes this world tangible, with all of its pleasures and challenges. . . . This book is a wonderful addition to the library of any evolutionary biologist or natural historian and is a pleasant foray into the lives of nineteenth-century naturalists."—American Entomologist
 
“Drawing on Alfred Möller’s monumental work, Fritz Müller: Werke, Briefe und Leben, published between 1915 and 1920, West’s book opens up this rich source of material for non-German speakers, but it also reveals much that is new. . . . West details all the different areas of Müller’s research and important discoveries with admirable thoroughness.”—Luso-Brazilian Review
 
"The thoroughly researched, well-illustrated, and definitive account of an important period, place, and scientist in the history of evolutionary biology."--Edward O. Wilson, author of The Meaning of Human Existence

"Absolutely essential to anyone interested in the history of evolutionary theory, evolutionary science, or Darwinism. This volume will become the standard biography of Müller and will take its place on the short shelf of classic works in the history of modern biology."--Thomas F. Glick, coeditor of The Literary and Cultural Reception of Charles Darwin in Europe

"This volume helps us gain a better understanding not only of Müller's many contributions but also of the development of Darwin's ideas about species diversity."--Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, author of Unifying Biology

"A clear and detailed picture of a devoted naturalist and impressive man who accomplished a remarkable amount of work and whose impact on the development of natural science in the late nineteenth century has long been overlooked, until now."--Julia Rodriguez, author of Civilizing Argentina:Science, Medicine, and the Modern State


Fritz Müller (1821-1897), though not as well known as his colleague Charles Darwin, belongs in the cohort of great nineteenth-century naturalists. Recovering Müller's legacy, David A. West describes the close intellectual kinship between Müller and Darwin and details a lively correspondence that spanned seventeen years. The two scientists, despite living on separate continents, often discussed new research topics and exchanged groundbreaking ideas that unequivocally moved the field of evolutionary biology forward.


Müller was unique among naturalists testing Darwin's theory of natural selection because he investigated an enormous diversity of plants and animals, corresponded with prominent scientists, and published important articles in Germany, England, the United States, and Brazil. Darwin frequently praised Müller's powers of observation and interpretation, counting him among those scientists whose opinions he valued most.


Despite the importance and scope of his work, however, Müller is known for relatively few of his discoveries. West remedies this oversight, chronicling the life and work of this remarkable and overlooked man of science.


David A. West (1933–2015) was associate professor emeritus of biological sciences at Virginia Tech and the author of Fritz Müller: A Naturalist in Brazil.

Sample Chapter(s):

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Presents 15 years of meticulous work compiling more years of West’s fascination with and study of the German biologist who spent most of his professional life in southern Brazil, and who is considered a major contributor to Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
--Roanoke Times

Despite the importance and scope of his work...Müller is known for relatively few of his discoveries. West remedies this oversight, chronicling the life and work of this extraordinary and overlooked man of science.
--Virginia Tech News

A thorough examination of a human figure and a scientist’s achievements.
--H-Net

This fine biography of Fritz Müller (1821-97) explains how he helped Darwin shape his ideas on mimicry. . . . ideal for students of natural history, historians of science, and other scholars.
--Choice

Situates Müller’s research at the cutting edge of 19th-century natural science. Müller emerges here, not as a solitary naturalist in the isolated wilderness of southern Brazil, but as an essential figure in an active and collaborative scientific network. . . . Reminds us that the work of naturalists in Europe would be impossible without the research that was conducted in places such as Blumenau.
--Quarterly Review of Biology

Offers an unfiltered view into science of the mid-nineteenth century, when evolutionary theory had its origins. West makes this world tangible, with all of its pleasures and challenges. . . . A wonderful addition to the library of any evolutionary biologist or natural historian and is a pleasant foray into the lives of nineteenth-century naturalists.
--American Entomologist

Will doubtless be an important source for those interested in the history of modern biology.
--Isis

A beautifully written and thoroughly researched study of Miami. Essential.
--Isis

Drawing on Alfred Möller’s monumental work, Fritz Müller: Werke, Briefe und Leben, published between 1915 and 1920, West’s book opens up this rich source of material for non-German speakers, but it also reveals much that is new. . . . West details all the different areas of Müller’s research and important discoveries with admirable thoroughness.
--Luso-Brazilian Review