William B. Provine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William B. Provine
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Provine in 2008
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| Born | February 19, 1942 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Died | September 1, 2015 (aged 73) Horseheads, New York, U.S.
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| Employer | Cornell University |
William Ball Provine (born February 19, 1942 – died September 1, 2015) was an American historian. He studied the history of science, especially how ideas about evolution and genetics developed. He was a respected professor at Cornell University.
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About William Provine
William Provine was born in Tennessee. He earned a degree in mathematics in 1962. Later, he received his master's and Ph.D. degrees in the history of science. He got these degrees from the University of Chicago.
He started teaching at Cornell University in 1969. In 1995, he had health problems due to a brain tumor. William Provine passed away on September 1, 2015, because of issues related to this tumor.
Studying Genetics and Evolution
Provine's Ph.D. work looked at how the study of population genetics began. This field studies how genes change in groups of living things over time. He explored early disagreements between different scientific ideas.
He also wrote a book about Sewall Wright, an important scientist in genetics. Provine talked with Wright to learn more about his work. Provine helped other scientists, like John H. Gillespie, think about new ideas in genetics. He wrote another book about his views on how genes change.
Provine believed that mathematics was very important. He thought it helped scientists understand the "modern evolutionary synthesis." This is the main idea that combines Mendel's work on genes with Darwin's ideas about natural selection.
Helping Students at Cornell
In 1970, Provine played a big part in starting a special living area for students at Cornell. It was called Risley Residential College. He was the first professor to live there and help guide the students.
His Ideas and Debates
William Provine was also a philosopher. He was known for debating ideas about the existence of God. He also spoke out against "intelligent design." This is a belief that life was created by a designer.
He had many public discussions with scientists and philosophers who believed in God. One person he debated was Phillip E. Johnson, who started the intelligent design movement. Even though they had different views, they were friends. Provine would even have his students read Johnson's book in his evolution class.
Provine had strong beliefs about how the world works. He believed that people's choices were already set, meaning he did not believe in free will. He also thought there was no proof of God, no life after death, and no absolute right or wrong. He once followed the same religious beliefs as his friend Johnson, but later he changed his mind.
