Rachel Carson
Photo: Brooks Studio, Courtesy of the Lear/Carson Collection, Connecticut College.

In 1962 Rachel Carson's ground-breaking book Silent Spring warned of the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use. Its profound influence is credited with the foundation of the modern environmental movement. Trained as a zoologist, Rachel Carson worked as a scientist, editor and finally editor-in-chief of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She built a picture of the devastating impact of synthetic chemical pesticides on certain species, notably birds of prey.

Criticised by the chemical industry and some in government, she continued to point out the direct threat that pesticides may pose to human health. As a gifted writer, she transformed scientific research into lyric prose for the lay public. Silent Spring challenged the profligate use of chemical pesticides and called for a change in attitude to the natural world. She was voted one of the 50 most important scientists of the 20th century with Silent Spring listed the second most important piece of 20th century journalism.

PAN UK ‘s annual Rachel Carson Memorial Lecture is an opportunity to celebrate her work through the promotion of public understanding of the dangers of pesticides.