Desmond Morris Scientific Archive
Desmond Morris is a reputable English zoologist, born in 1928, and author of several highly regarded works in the area of science and research, from television series about the animal world to books such as The Naked Ape, which have been translated and retranslated to many different languages. Desmond Morris also donated his scientific archive to the MHNC-UP in 2014.
From this archive, one can see the many dimensions of this author, from the scientific to the artistic (Desmond Morris is also an important surrealist painter), as well as didactic and human. On this archive you may find:
- the typescript of the book The Naked Ape, a piece of work listed on the top 100 books that sold the most copies of all time;
- records and notes from his first studies of animal behaviour;
- records and notes of the research he conducted in order to write books and published articles, as well as documentation from his television and radio programmes;
- scientific correspondence between Desmond Morris and his colleagues, with scientific imagery that was used in the research process;
- five collections of scientific magazines, all his published books, and all translations of the books;
- published scientific articles, revisions, rescissions, prefaces and postfaces;
- VHS recordings of television documentaries, including unedited materials, as well as filmed programmes that were not broadcasted;
- microfilms, super-8, audio tapes, slides, photo negatives, personal photographs of specific moments of his professional life, engravings, a collection of portraits of animals and objects that served as the theme and illustrations for some of his books, and several other objects.
The archive has been subject to studies and inventory lists. It was exhibited at the Hall of Biodiversity – Ciência Viva Centre at the time of its opening, in 2017, under the name THE HUMAN ZOO. It is currently going through a carefully set out plan for its reconditioning and conservation for future accessibility, so it can be available for students, as well as researchers, and other interested parties.
At 92 years of age, Desmond Morris carries on working enthusiastically and surprising us all.
Staff & Collaborators:
