Elwyn Simons: A Search for Origins

For nearly a half century, Dr. Simons has dominated the study of primate evolution. This volume summarizes the current state of knowledge in many aspects of primate and human evolution that have been studied by Simons and his colleagues and place it in a broader paleontological and historical perspective. The book contains the results of new research as well as reviews of many of the critical issues in primate and human evolution during the last half of the twentieth century.

From the reviews: "This volume, edited by Fleagle and Gilbert ... includes 26 chapters of varying length. ... A full bibliography of Simons' astounding 315 publications ... closes the volume. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers and faculty." (E. Delson, Choice, Vol. 46 (3), November, 2008) "A Search for Human Origins is of interest to all primatologists, whether they study living or extinct species. … A Search for Human Origins deals with paleontological collecting in different parts of the world, principally in Egypt, but also in Libya, Tanzania, India, China, and North America. … a testament to the enduring influence of Elwyn Simons on vertebrate paleontology, primate evolution, and prosimian biology and conservation." (Susan Cachel, International Journal Primatology, Vol. 29, 2008) "Elwyn Simons: A Search for Origins, edited by John Fleagle and Chris Gilbert, succeeds primarily because no real attempt at blanket coverage of Elwyn’s career is made. Instead, it is a delightfully idiosyncratic sampling of personal history, fossil discovery, and comparative study. … This book includes coverage of subfossil lemurs and the current status of Malagasy ecosystems, current finds in North Africa, India, and Asia and even a chapter on hominid behavioral ecology, all of which reflect the interests and passions of Elwyn Simons." (Christopher P. Heesy, Evolutionary Anthropology, Vol. 18, 2009)

Elwyn Simons has held professional appointments at Yale University (1960-1977), Duke University (1977-present), and was the Director of the Duke Primate Center (1977-1991) and Scientific Director (1991-2001). He has authored nearly 300 scientific publications and is the holder of many high honors. He is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, as well as many other professional associations. He was elected a “Knight of the National Order” by the government of Madagascar and has been the recipient of many awards including the prestigious Charles R. Darwin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.