Today's Read Contributor Jason Roberts’ groundbreaking biography, Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life, has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Published on April 9, 2024, the book delves deep into the lives and work of two of history’s most influential naturalists, Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis Leclerc, also known as Comte de Buffon. This prestigious recognition celebrates the compelling narrative Roberts has woven, bringing to light the dramatic and often intense rivalry between the two men and their significant contributions to the field of taxonomy.
In Every Living Thing, Roberts offers a captivating portrayal of Linnaeus and Buffon, whose passionate pursuits in the 18th century revolutionized the study of living organisms. At the heart of the story lies their competition to classify the diversity of life on Earth, a race that not only transformed the scientific landscape but also played a crucial role in shaping modern biology. Through meticulous research, Roberts captures the intellectual and personal dynamics between these two towering figures, shedding new light on their lives, struggles, and enduring legacies.
Carl Linnaeus, widely known for creating the binomial nomenclature system—the method of naming species by genus and species—formed the foundation of modern biological classification. His work provided a way for scientists to standardize and systematize the naming of plants and animals, a critical step in understanding the natural world. Meanwhile, Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, was a visionary naturalist whose expansive studies on the natural history of the Earth challenged conventional thinking at the time. Buffon’s theories on the age of the Earth and the process of evolution prefigured later scientific discoveries, making him a pivotal figure in the development of evolutionary theory.
Roberts not only explores their scientific contributions but also paints a rich portrait of the personal and philosophical tensions between Linnaeus and Buffon. Their contrasting views on classification and the broader questions about life and nature fueled their rivalry, which spanned continents and had significant implications for the scientific community. The author’s ability to present this intellectual conflict in an accessible and engaging way has made Every Living Thing a standout in historical biography.
The 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Biography is a testament to Roberts’ masterful storytelling and his ability to distill complex historical and scientific narratives into a compelling, human-centered story. In chronicling the lives of Linnaeus and Buffon, Roberts not only celebrates their contributions but also examines the broader scientific pursuit of knowledge and the way it shapes our understanding of the world. With this award, Every Living Thing has cemented its place as one of the most important biographies of recent years, offering fresh insights into the history of science and the figures who helped shape it.
