James Lovelock at 100

James Lovelock, the scientist who developed the Gaia hypothesis, turns 100 this year!  Lovelock was William Golding’s neighbour in Bowerchalke, Wiltshire, and it was Golding himself who suggested that Lovelock name his theory Gaia, after the Greek goddess who personified the earth. Lovelock discusses Golding’s suggestion in this article in The Guardian and you can read Lovelock and Stanley Epton’s original idea in this archival copy of the New Scientist. Judy (Golding) Carver, Golding’s daughter, has also participated in the Lovelock Centenary conference at the University of Exeter.