Alfred W. Crosby

Alfred W. Crosby
Born	January 15, 1931 Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Died	March 14, 2018 Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Historian, Author
Known for	"The Columbian Exchange", "Ecological Imperialism"

Alfred W. Crosby (January 15, 1931 – March 14, 2018) was an American historian and author, renowned for his work on the environmental and social impacts of European colonialism. He is best known for coining the term "The Columbian Exchange" and for his influential book "Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900".

Early Life and Education

Crosby was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. He attended Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history. He later pursued graduate studies at Boston University, where he received his Ph.D. in history.

Academic Career

Crosby began his academic career as a professor of history at Washington State University. He later taught at the University of Texas at Austin, where he became a prominent figure in the field of environmental history. His interdisciplinary approach combined history with biology, ecology, and geography, offering new insights into the impacts of European expansion.

Major Works

The Columbian Exchange

In his seminal work, "The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492," Crosby explored the profound and lasting effects of the exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World following Christopher Columbus's voyages. This book highlighted how these exchanges reshaped the world's ecosystems and had significant social and economic impacts.

Ecological Imperialism

In "Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900," Crosby examined how European settlers were able to establish dominance in various parts of the world. He argued that the success of European imperialism was not solely due to military or technological superiority, but also because of the introduction of European flora and fauna, which often outcompeted native species and transformed local environments.

Legacy

Crosby's work has had a lasting impact on the field of environmental history and has influenced scholars across multiple disciplines. His concept of the Columbian Exchange has become a fundamental framework for understanding the global impacts of European exploration and colonization.

Also see

• Environmental history
• Biological imperialism
• History of colonialism
• Impact of European colonization on indigenous populations