Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (born September 13, 1931) is an American author 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 understand more about both animals and ancient human life. Through her writing, she shares important ideas about nature and different cultures.

Early life and education

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas was born to anthropologist Lorna Marshall and Laurence K. Marshall, co-founder of the Raytheon Corporation. She grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and went to school at Abbot Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She started her college education at Smith College but paused to travel in Africa with her family. She later finished her studies 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 her experiences in a journal, which helped her write her first book, The Harmless People. She also used what she learned to write 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, but some scientists and dog trainers did not agree with her ways of studying and understanding dogs. She wrote another book about dogs called The Social Life of Dogs: The Grace of Canine Company, as well as books about cats and deer. She also 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 popular book about dogs to give land for the town's first beach at Cunningham Pond. At this beach, dogs of town residents are always welcome. She also helped lead the town for 15 years as part of the Select Board.