He Knew He Was Right: The Irrepressible Life of James Lovelock

John Gribbin

Penguin Books Limited, Oct 1, 2009 - Biography & Autobiography - 256 pages

Jim Lovelock (1919-2022) was an iconic figure in British science, a prophet whose prophecies are coming true. This is his definitive authorised biography. Lovelock is best known as the 'father' of Gaia theory, which is now established as the most useful way of understanding the dramatic changes happening to the environment of the Earth.

But few people know about his early work as a chemist and inventor - work which included inventing the detectors used to search for life on Mars, and blowing the whistle on the depletion of ozone layer. In his personal life, he was a Quaker and conscientious objector in World War Two (later changing his mind in view of the evils of Nazism), supported his family for a time by selling his own blood, and gave up a salary and security to become an independent scientist based in an English village - from which all his best known work emerged.

In the wake of his death on 26th July 2022, his 103rd birthday, this book truly reveals an independent, original and inspiring life.

About the author

John and Mary Gribbin are two of today's greatest writers of popular science. Together they have collaborated on many books, including Ice Age, Richard Feynman: A Life in Science and Stardust. John is also the author of bestselling titles including In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, Science: A History and Deep Simplicity.

Bibliographic information

• Title: He Knew He Was Right: The Irrepressible Life of James Lovelock
• Author: John Gribbin
• Publisher: Penguin Books Limited, 2009
• ISBN: 0141958685, 9780141958682
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology; Political Science / Public Policy / Environmental Policy; Science / General; Science / Life Sciences / Ecology