Stephen Gould’s life revolved around science and as a respected paleontologist and educator he paved the way for multitudes of people to better understand the riddles of evolution through his writings. He served as a faculty member at Harvard and there he penned informal academic essays employing out of the ordinary subjects to present common ideas in a fresh way.

His life’s work inspired many as well as his positive stance when diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma which affects a person’s abdomen. He found out in July 1981 that he was burdened with the disease but faced his condition with a positive attitude. He went on to study about mesothelioma and discovered that it usually takes only eight months after diagnosis till the disease fully consumes the life of its victim. He established a favorable disposition that he would last more than the expected time of survival for this type of lung cancer. He continued his commitment to the American Museum of National History in New York and composed some compelling books and other writings about evolution and science while bearing trial treatments. His positivity served him well although the disease eventually ended his life at the age of 60, on May 20, 2002. Today is the seven year anniversary of his death.

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