Lyall Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lyall Watson
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| Born | Malcolm Lyall-Watson 12 April 1939 Johannesburg, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 25 June 2008 (aged 69) Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation | Scientist, author |
| Nationality | South African |
| Education | Rondebosch Boys' High School |
| Alma mater | Witwatersrand University University of London |
Lyall Watson (born April 12, 1939 – died June 25, 2008) was a South African scientist and author. He studied many different fields. These included botany (plants), zoology (animals), biology (life), and anthropology (humanity). He also studied ethology (animal behavior). Watson wrote many popular books. His most famous book was Supernature. He tried to explain natural and even supernatural events using science. He is known for the "hundredth monkey effect". This idea appeared in his 1979 book, Lifetide. Later, he said it was "a metaphor of my own making." This means it was a story he created to explain a point.
Contents
Lyall Watson's Life Story
Malcolm Lyall-Watson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He loved nature from a young age. He learned about the bush from Zulu and !Kung bushmen. Watson went to Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town. He finished school in 1955.
Early Studies and Career
In 1956, at age 15, he joined the University of the Witwatersrand. By 19, he had degrees in botany and zoology. He then trained in palaeontology (study of fossils) with Raymond Dart. This led him to study anthropology in Germany and the Netherlands. He also earned degrees in geology, chemistry, and marine biology. Later, he got a doctorate in ethology from the University of London. His teacher was Desmond Morris.
Around this time, he shortened his name to Lyall Watson. He worked at the BBC. There, he wrote and produced nature documentaries. At just 23, he became the director of the Johannesburg Zoo. He also led expeditions to different places. He was a commissioner for the International Whaling Commission in the Seychelles.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Watson was on Channel 4. He presented their coverage of sumo wrestling tournaments.
Family and Later Life
Lyall Watson was the oldest of three brothers. One brother, Andrew, lived in Gympie, Queensland, Australia. Watson was visiting Andrew when he died. He passed away from a stroke on June 25, 2008. He had lived in Cork, Ireland.
Lyall Watson's Writing Career
Lyall Watson started writing his first book, Omnivore, in the early 1960s. He was working with Desmond Morris at the time. He went on to write more than 21 other books.
