William Donald Hamilton

W. D. Hamilton was one of the most influential evolutionary biologists of the 20th century. He proposed the concept of inclusive fitness, which explains how altruism can evolve among genetically related individuals. He also developed the theory of sex ratio, which predicts the optimal proportion of males and females in a population. He applied his ideas to various biological phenomena, such as social insects, sexual selection, parasite-host interactions, and the origin of life. He was a prolific writer and a passionate naturalist, who explored the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and Africa. He died of malaria contracted during his fieldwork in the Congo. He was awarded many prestigious prizes, such as the Kyoto Prize, the Crafoord Prize, and the Darwin Medal. He was admired by many scientists and students, who regarded him as a brilliant and original thinker.