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Richard E. Blackwelder
(29 Jan 1909 - 17 Jan 2001)
American zoologist, entomologist and taxonomist who wrote books and papers on entomology, animal diversity and taxonomy. He was very active in the Society of Systematic Zoology. He also compiled A Tolkien Thesaurus. Richard is the son of geologist Eliot Blackwelder.
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Science Quotes by Richard E. Blackwelder (3 quotes)
[About a conference on Systematic Biology] Many interesting statements were made that apply directly to the work of taxonomists. In some cases the interest lay in the value of the suggestion and sometimes in the obvious need for rebuttal.
— Richard E. Blackwelder
In 'Illogicality in Criticism', Systematic Zoology (Dec 1969), 18, No. 4, 470.
The study of taxonomy in its broadest sense is probably the oldest branch of biology or natural history as well as the basis for all the other branches, since the first step in obtaining any knowledge of things about us is to discriminate between them and to learn to recognize them.
— Richard E. Blackwelder
From paper presented to New York Entomological Society (12 Dec 1939), 'Some Aspects of Modern Taxonomy', published in Journal of the New York Entomological Society (Sep 1940), 48, No. 3, 245.
Zoological taxonomists in general are inclined to be practical workers rather than philosophers, if only because they face such an unending task that they are not encouraged to sit back and philosophize.
— Richard E. Blackwelder
In 'Illogicality in Criticism', Systematic Zoology (Dec 1969), 18, No. 4, 470.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
