David Lack

David Lack (1910-1973) is one of the most celebrated names in the study of birds. His pioneering life-history studies resulted in an explosion of interest in the ecology of birds as well as the landmark popular books The Life of the Robin, Darwin's Finches, and Swifts in a Tower. Even during World War II he was able to study bird migration while involved in secret work to develop radar. In 1945 he became the Director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology in Oxford and started...See more

David Lack (1910-1973) is one of the most celebrated names in the study of birds. His pioneering life-history studies resulted in an explosion of interest in the ecology of birds as well as the landmark popular books The Life of the Robin, Darwin's Finches, and Swifts in a Tower. Even during World War II he was able to study bird migration while involved in secret work to develop radar. In 1945 he became the Director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology in Oxford and started research programmes - including on swifts - that continue right to this day. See less