Post-World War II America was a place full of hope and idealism (or so I've heard, since I wasn't alive then). Anything and everything seemed possible. People's lives were becoming easier with all of the new products that had been developed due to innovations during war time. One of the biggest areas of growth was in farming. Due to the introduction of organic pesticides, by 1960 the average American farmer was able to produce enough food to support himself and at least twenty others, which was more than twice the amount in 1940. The increase in production also came from mechanical and technical improvements, along with soil conservation throughout the 1950s. By the beginning of the 1960s, there was a surplus of food. At the time, not too many people noticed, or cared, about the wildlife that was dying because of the pesticides. That wasn't going to last long.
By 1962, Rachel Carson was a well-known scientist who had written several books regarding the sea. These included Edge of the Sea (1955) and The Sea Around Us (1951). Carson began her professional career as a writer for the Bureau of Fisheries. Her love of nature began as a child growing up in Springdale, PA, which is located on the Allegheny River. This interest was encouraged by her mother, and she graduated, in 1928, from Pennsylvania College for Women with a degree in zoology. She went on to Johns Hopkins University to obtain a master's degree, also in zoology. By the time she left the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1952, she was a biologist and the chief editor of all of the agency's publications. Through this work, she learned of the many different chemicals that were being developed during the 40s. Many of these chemicals would eventually be used in the creation of pesticides. Upon her retirement from the government, Carson knew that she needed to explore this further.
What resulted is the now-famous book Silent Spring, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its publication on September 27. The book began as a serialized article in The New Yorker magazine in June 1962. The article and the book created quite a bit of controversy. While she received a lot of support from the public, including other scientists and President John Kennedy, she also received considerable criticism from the American Medical Association, the USDA, and chemical companies. Unfortunately, not only were her scientific findings being questioned, but also her own morals.
Due to all of the controversy, President Kennedy created a Science Advisory Committee to investigate the claims regarding the dangers of pesticides. They found that, until the publication of Silent Spring, most Americans were unaware of what damage pesticides could do to the environment. The Senate also formed a committee to investigate the dangers. Carson's book also helped spur grassroots organizations to form to help protect the environment, which also contributed to laws appearing around the country regulating the use of pesticides. By 1964, Congress had placed the burden of proving the safety of new chemicals on the manufacturers.
Rachel Carson did not live long enough to see the effect of her book on the consciousness of the United States and many other countries around the world. She died of breast cancer on April 14, 1964.
If you are interested in learning more about Rachel Carson, check out the websites below:
The Rachel Carson Homestead: The Rachel Carson Homestead Association is charged with the preservation of the birthplace and childhood home of Rachel Carson. She was born on May 27, 1907, in this small, five-room farmhouse in the newly formed borough of Springdale. The clapboard house originally stood on approximately 65 acres of land overlooking the Allegheny River. The Carson family lived in Springdale until around 1930, and the homestead passed through several owners until it was stewarded by the Association in 1975.
Rachel Carson Council: The Rachel Carson Council is an award-winning environmental, educational non-profit that is the legacy organization that Rachel Carson envisioned. For 45 years, RCC has worked for the protection of health and the environment.
The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson: Biographer Linda Lear's site dedicated to the life of Rachel Carson.
For a list of books by Rachel Carson from the library, click here.
And here are a few interesting articles:
Rachel Carson, killer of Africans? from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
JFK Fought DDT in Rachel Carson’s Environmental Crusade from Bloomberg Businessweek
'Silent Spring' Turns Fifty from Voice of America
Carson's 'Silent Spring' Still Making Noise from NPR All Things Considered
-- Post by Tracy
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