Desmond Morris, Celebrated Zoologist and Surrealist Artist, Passes Away at Age 98
Desmond Morris, the esteemed zoologist, author, and television presenter, has died at the age of 98. He gained widespread fame in 1967 with the publication of his groundbreaking book The Naked Ape, which became an international bestseller. Morris was also a dedicated surrealist artist, often painting late into the night, and he hosted numerous TV documentaries, including the popular ITV programme Zoo Time.
Tributes from Family and Legacy of Exploration
His son, Jason Morris, paid tribute following his death on Sunday, highlighting Morris's professional achievements and his role as a father and grandfather. "His was a lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity," Jason said. "A zoologist, manwatcher, author and artist, he was still writing and painting right up until his death. He was a great man and an even better father and grandfather." Morris's work in zoology and art was deeply intertwined, with his knowledge of natural history influencing his surrealist paintings, particularly his interest in animal reproductive behaviour.
Early Life and Academic Pursuits
Born in Wiltshire in 1928, Morris began his career with two years of national service in the British army in 1946. He then pursued his passions, studying zoology at the University of Birmingham and completing a doctorate in animal behaviour at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he focused on the reproductive behaviour of birds, laying the foundation for his future research.
Television Career and Artistic Endeavours
Morris became a familiar face on television in 1956 as the host of the ITV Granada nature series Zoo Time, which ran until 1967. The show featured animal experts and explored animal behaviour in depth. Concurrently, he engaged in the art world, hosting exhibitions such as one at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1957, which showcased works by chimpanzees. In 1958, he co-organised The Lost Image exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, comparing art by infants, adults, and apes.
Professional Roles and Later Work
From 1959 to 1967, Morris served as the Zoological Society's curator of mammals at London Zoo. He began his BBC career in 1965, hosting Life in the Animal World and later presenting documentaries like Manwatching (1977), TV and Natural History (1986), and The Human Animal (1994). He also made regular appearances on shows such as The Animals Roadshow and Friday Night, Saturday Morning.
Literary Contributions and Lasting Impact
Following the success of The Naked Ape, Morris authored several follow-up books, including The Human Zoo (1969), Manwatching (1977), and The Naked Man (1977). Over his decades-long career, he contributed to more than 90 titles, dedicating his academic life to the study of animals and zoology. In 2017, the BBC aired The Secret Surrealist, a programme exploring his dual life as a painter. Last year, Morris revealed to the Guardian that one of his 1948 paintings sold for over £50,000, expressing regret at not being able to repurchase it.
