Alison Jolly

Alison Jolly
Born Alison Bishop
(1937-05-09)May 9, 1937
Ithaca, New York, United States
Died February 6, 2014(2014-02-06) (aged 76)
Lewes, East Sussex, England
Nationality American
Fields primatology
Known for Lemur biological studies
Spouse Richard Jolly (m. 1964–2014)
Children 4

Alison Jolly (May 9, 1937 – February 6, 2014) was a primatologist, known for her studies of lemur biology. She wrote several books for both popular and scientific audiences and conducted extensive fieldwork on Lemurs in Madagascar, primarily at the Berenty Reserve, a small private reserve of gallery forest set in the semi-arid spiny desert area in the far south of Madagascar.

Biography

Born Alison Bishop in Ithaca, New York, she held a BA from Cornell University, and a PhD from Yale University; she had been a researcher at the New York Zoological Society, Cambridge University, University of Sussex, Rockefeller University, and Princeton University. In 1998 she was made Officer of the National Order of Madagascar (Officier de l’Ordre National, Madagascar). At the time of her death she was a Visiting Scientist at the University of Sussex.[1][2]

Under her maiden name, she first published "Control of the hand in lower primates" in 1962.[3] Jolly began studying lemur behavior at Berenty in 1963[4][5][6] and was first to propose female dominance in a primate society. She encouraged field studies that contributed to knowledge about Malagasy wildlife and advised many researchers; she briefed Jane Wilson-Howarth and colleagues before their first expedition to Madagascar in 1981. Since 1990 Jolly had returned for every birthing season to carry out research assisted by student volunteers.[7] She focused on ring-tailed lemur demography, ranging, and especially inter-troop and territorial behavior, in the context of the fivefold difference in population density from front to back of the reserve.

Her scientific books include Lemur Behavior: A Madagascar Field Study and Lucy’s Legacy: Sex and Intelligence in Human Evolution.[8] Her non-technical works include Madagascar: A World Out of Time and Lords & Lemurs: Mad Scientists, Kings With Spears, and the Survival of Diversity in Madagascar.[7] She also wrote numerous articles for consumer magazines and scientific journals.

Jolly was the author of two series of children's books—The Ako Books[9] and The Fiddle Stories.

In June 2006, a new species of mouse lemur, Microcebus jollyae, was named in Jolly's honor.[10]

Personal life

Alison Jolly was married to Sir Richard Jolly, the development economist. She died at home in Lewes, East Sussex, in February 2014 at the age of 76.[11][1] She is survived by her husband and their four children.

Publications

Children's Books

References

  1. 1 2 Vitello, P. (18 February 2014). "Alison Jolly, who found female dominance in lemurs, dies at 76". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Richard, A. (19 February 2014). "Alison Jolly obituary". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Peterson 2006, p. 285.
  4. ↑ Mertl-Millhollen, S. A.; Gustafson, H. L.; Budnitz, N.; Dainis, K.; Jolly, A. (1979). "Population and territory stability of Lemur catta at Berenty, Madagascar". Folia Primatologica 31: 106–123. doi:10.1159/000155875.
  5. ↑ Jolly, A.; et al. (1982). "Population and troop ranges of Lemur catta and Lemur fulvus at Berenty, Madagascar: 1980 census". Folia Primatologica 39: 115–123. doi:10.1159/000156070.
  6. ↑ Jolly, A.; et al. (1982). "Propithecus verreauxi population and ranging at Berenty, Madagascar: 1975 and 1980". Folia Primatologica 39: 124–144. doi:10.1159/000156071.
  7. 1 2 Diller, F. (20 May 2008). "Scientists' Nightstand: Alison Jolly". American Scientist. Sigma Xi. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Lambert, J. (2000). "Elegant Weave". American Scientist. Sigma Xi. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "The Ako Project: The Ako team". Lemur Conservation Foundation. 2009. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Obituary: Dr Alison Jolly". University of Sussex. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  11. ↑ caowrites (11 February 2014). "In memory of Dr. Alison Jolly". Lemurconservationfoundation.wordpress.com. Lemur Conservation Foundation. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.

Literature cited

External links

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