Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (born September 13, 1931) is an American writer. She is known for her interesting books and articles.

She writes about animals, how people lived long ago, and the !Kung Bushmen who live in the Kalahari Desert. Her work helps us learn more about animals and ancient human life. Through her writing, she shares ideas about nature and different cultures.

Early life and education

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas was born to anthropologist Lorna Marshall and Laurence K. Marshall, who helped start the Raytheon Corporation. She grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and went to school at Abbot Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She began her college studies at Smith College but stopped to travel in Africa with her family. She later returned and earned a degree in English from Radcliffe College.

Career

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas joined three trips between 1950 and 1956 to live with and learn about the Ju/'hoansi !Kung Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia and Botswana. She wrote down what she saw in a journal. This helped her write her first book, The Harmless People. She also wrote stories about ancient hunter gatherers in books like Reindeer Moon and The Animal Wife.

Her book The Hidden Life of Dogs became very popular and was a top seller in the New York Times. Some scientists and dog trainers did not agree with her ways of studying dogs. She wrote another book about dogs called The Social Life of Dogs: The Grace of Canine Company. She also wrote books about cats and deer. She writes for a column called "Tamed/Untamed" in the Boston Globe, working with Sy Montgomery.

Personal life

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has lived in Peterborough, New Hampshire for a long time. She used money from her book about dogs to give land for the town's first beach at Cunningham Pond. At this beach, dogs are always welcome. She also helped lead the town for 15 years as part of the Select Board.