Collections Spotlight: Rachel Carson

Carson testifying

Rachel Carson was a trained biologist and a best-selling author. In her writing, Carson presented scientific facts from an ecological perspective in a poetic writing style. She made science interesting and understandable to regular people. She was best known for her books Silent Spring and The Sea Around Us. Her writing about ecology and the dangers of pesticides was essential to the start of the environmental movement.

Rachel Carson images

Rachel Carson historical newspaper coverage

Legislation related to Rachel Carson

Books that shaped America: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson stories from America’s Library

In Celebration of Rachel Carson Inside Adams

Rachel Carson: Defender of the Natural World Inside Adams

The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson selected reading list includes links to online articles as well as print sources by and about Carson

Today in History: Earth Day

Conservation & Environment primary source collections & teaching resources