A Curious Boy: The Making of a Scientist

by Richard Fortey

'Truth and courage are what memoirs need and this one has them both in spades … The unforgotten boy: that is what makes this a book a revelation'


ADAM NICOLSON




‘Wonderful, absolutely beguiling … I learnt a lot and really loved it’


RICHARD HOLMES




‘Gloriously evocative’


DAILY MAIL




What makes a scientist?



Charming, funny and wise, in this memoir Richard Fortey shows how restless curiosity about the natural world led him to become a leading scientist and writer, with adventures and misadventures along the way.


From a garden shed laboratory where he manufactured the greatest stink in the world to a tent high in the Arctic in pursuit of fossils, this is a story of obsession and love of nature, flavoured with the peculiarities and restrictions of post-war Britain. Fortey tells the story of following his father down riverbanks to fish for trout, and also of his father's shocking death. He unfolds his early passions – fungi, ammonite hunting and eyeing up bird's eggs. He evokes with warmth and wit how the natural world started out as his playground and refuge, then became his life's work.


Much more than a story about science alone, this memoir gives an unforgettable portrait of a young, curious mind, and shows how luck and enthusiasm can create a special life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Autobiography, Nature, Biography, Natural History, Audiobook

352 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2021

About the author

Richard Alan Fortey was a British palaeontologist, natural historian, writer and television presenter, who served as president of the Geological Society of London for its bicentennial year of 2007.

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The renowned palaeontologist and science populariser Richard Fortey has always struck me (from his books and television appearances, at least) as first and foremost an enthusiast: for his chosen field, for science in general and earth sciences in particular, and for everything that life has to offer. As this delightful memoir of his childhood and early adulthood makes abundantly clear, that enthusiasm arises out of an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, for people and for experience. From childhood crazes for egg and fossil collecting and explosive explorations in chemistry in the family shed to adult passions for fungi and wild flowers alongside his groundbreaking (literally!) academic work on trilobites and what they could reveal about the developing science of plate tectonics, his hunger to know and understand, and then to explain, is a tonic to the reader. He has plenty to say about the artificial ‘two cultures’ divide between science and the humanities, a divide he has done his best to overcome: ‘the foibles of educational systems may have generated the ‘two cultures’ in the first place, but it is not a gap in human nature. We are all creatures of invention and curiosity, not of circumscribed subjects’.
Fortey is a delightful companion with an eye for a story, love of character and a pleasing self-deprecating humour. A Curious Boy is not without tragedy, but the reader comes away from it with a strong sense of a scientist with a zest for life and a curiosity that has led him in many surprising directions.

[Verity Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became aware of Richard Fortey when I read his fascinating book about trilobites about twenty years ago. I loved that book then and have maintained an interest in his work when he released new books and occasionally appeared on television.

I was therefore intrigued when I was given the opportunity to read and review Fortey's memoir of his early life and studies, A Curious Boy. This autobiography really allowed me to get to know the young Fortey and explore his fascination with the natural world alongside him as he grew up. The book is a portrait not only of himself but of his family and of the English countryside, looking at the changes that there have been over the second half of the twentieth century and on to today. The experience of reading the book was like talking to a favourite uncle or erudite older friend and hearing about his formative days. Trilobites turn up of course and I found Fortey's account of fossil hunting in the frozen north as an undergraduate to be particularly fascinating.

A recommended read for people with an interest in nature, trilobites or really well-told memoirs.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

[Wendelle]

Wonderfully and richly written, this book probably comprises the first in a series of memoirs, as unexpectedly, this covered only the prestigious paleontologist and trilobite specialist's youth-- his boyish adventures and school-year forays into various lanes of curiosity, whether it's experiments with chemical kits and potions, or detecting fungi in the woods, or examining geological layers or fossils in Morocco. Throughout the book, what rises is his incredible lust for the study of life in all its grand forms

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite an old fashioned memoir, which I rather enjoyed. It suits the author and the subject matter. Richard Fortey is a paleontologist, natural historian and a world expert on trilobites. This is a memoir of his early years. He describes how his family life shaped his passion for the natural world and how a series of happy accidents found him his passion and his speciality. It is, by its nature, rather nostalgic and I liked the fact that the loss of many of the habitats and flora and fauna that shaped his life is echoed in his memories of lost family members. It's a great balance of learning and memoir.

[Peter Tillman]

Nature's short review. A pick of the week:
"The son of an ace angler and tackle-shop proprietor, Richard Fortey was exposed in his youth to nature and people. Incompetent at catching fish, he discovered a passion for fungi and fossils. “The latter became my livelihood, while the former have remained my hobby,” he writes in his memoir of finding his niche as a palaeontologist at London’s Natural History Museum. Today he is an expert on trilobites and a successful science writer. His book’s punning title distils both its irresistible charm and a deep truth about science."

I've enjoyed Fortey's paleontology books, so I expect to like this memoir.

[Cath Ennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite enjoying this memoir until I read the following:

one of the great virtues of science is that it is truly egalitarian. [...] In the mid twentieth century merit alone finally became sufficient for employment, and women earned proper recognition at last.

and then:

Science is one of the few areas of human endeavour where merit is still the main criterion for success. 'It's who you know, not what you know' does not apply. Science does not listen to accents; nor does science care about skin colour. Women are still outnumbered by men, but there is nothing intrinsically sexist about science, and the numbers are changing as ways of balancing work and family are developing.

This rose-tinted view of science as a perfect meritocracy should be the case, of course, but there are mountains of evidence that it is not at all true in practice. Ignoring that evidence, and the lived experiences of countless scientists from equity-seeking groups, is harmful to scientists and to science. Describing what you wish to be the case as if it were actually true won't solve a single problem.

It's no surprise to me that I found these ideas in a book written by an older white man. Sadly, this paleontologist has turned out to be something of a fossil himself.

[Sue Chaplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, both for the interesting story of his family as well as the observations and recall of his encounters with nature as a boy. I found his observation about the difference in the state of the windscreens after a long drive back in the day compared to now very interesting. We had not long done a 3 hour journey to Somerset and we have now just done the same journey back and not one bug to clean off the windscreen either way. They are an important food source as well as many being pollinators.

[Ginni · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favourite natural history writer; I stumbled upon this author when I borrowed ‘The Wood for the Trees’ from the library, and loved it. I’m not sure how I’ve missed him before, as he has published many books (hurray!) and also appeared on TV with Sir David Attenborough, a great hero of mine.
As well as charting the young Fortey’s passion for natural history, the author also draws a picture of school and family life in the mid 20th century that will resonate with many readers. He is an excellent writer as well as a great scientist - honest, self-deprecating, passionate and with a sense of humour. Great to think there are many more of his books to read.

[Popular Science Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book recounts Richard Fortey’s journey from the titular curious boy to becoming a ‘real’ scientist. He doesn’t shy away from describing the lows along with the highs of his life as well as the possible contributions of luck, which makes it a fascinating read. Roll on part 2.

[Linda Seward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Curious Boy by Richard Fortey

I just finished reading this story about how a boy became a naturalist and a scientist. It is part memoir mixed with a fair quantity of science, seasoned with a dash of philosophy and spiced with a joyous celebration of nature. And all presented with the odd flash of wry humour. Here is a renowned scientist talking about his early working life in his father’s fishing supply store: “The fact remains that my first commercial experience was as a maggot dealer, with hemp on the side.” Professor Fortey’s prodigious recollections run the gamut from creating the most terrible smell in the world in his chemistry lab to solitary fungal forays in the woods around London to death-defying experiences collecting trilobites in Norway to delivering an ammonite fossil to the Museum of Natural History in London, little dreaming he would one day work there. His thoughtful observation on the organisms living in the foetid mud along the banks of the River Thames sums up his approach to his future profession: “Where other living things found life unbearable, for Tubifex it was an opportunity to prosper. I would take that lesson on life’s exuberant opportunism into the rest of my scientific life.” Though written at times with gentle pathos, this book is an exceptional celebration of life and nature. All in all, it’s a remarkable accomplishment covering an even more remarkable life. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

[Henry Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the author himself who recommended this book to me, as he said — and I hope, if he reads this, he won’t mind my saying so — that aspects of his book reminded him of me. And it did. It was uncanny. The geeky boy who loved nothing better than to roam the countryside; to spend time alone with collections of fossils, or insects, but who loved art, and literature, and music, ideas; was allergic to virtually every sport (Fortey played Tiddlywinks for Cambridge University: I represented the University at Scrabble); and who was drawn, ineluctably, into science. And writing about science. And even the same areas of science. Fortey’s Life: An Unauthorised Biography (perhaps his best known book) plows a furrow adjacent to my own writings. However, I suspect that Fortey and I are less long-lost brothers than exemplars of a type: variants of the same species. There are, to be sure, many people out there who will see themselves in this book, whether or not they became scientists — or, as Fortey nearly did, a historian of science. Or a poet. A joyous read.

[Isaac Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on sale at a local bookshop and had never heard of this author before. I read and enjoyed “Letters to a young scientist” by E.O. Wilson a few years ago and this seemed similar. This one turned out to be more focused on the authors early years (as the name suggests!) but goes right through graduate school and the beginning of his career at the British Museum.

My favourite parts were probably the high school and university years but the whole book is well written and the author’s personality shines through. Parts of it reminded me of Roald Dahl’s, “Boy”, although Fortey is a generation younger.

As a British emigré I enjoyed the descriptions of British nature and institutions. This was an easy and inspiring read.

[Denis St-Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had purchased this book a year ago, at the British Museum, along with four others; all related to natural science. They say on those shelves for too long. Right after completing the reading of "Range", I felt attracted by the subtitle of this one by Fortey: "the making of a scientist".

I am happy to have read it right after Range, as it seems like a continuity. Fortey's young years were clearly demonstrative of a generalist in the making. Only at college did he, almost inadvertently get nudged towards a speciality. Fortey is now one of the world's most famous and knowledgeable people in regard to prehistoric trilobites.

A very pleasant reading that I recommend.

[C.L. Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir a lot. It’s an account of the author’s childhood, a love-letter to the natural beauty of Britain, and a warning about the countryside we are losing through climate inaction and harmful environmental policies.

The first chapters were a bit slow, but as the narrator grew and defined himself as a scientist I found it much more engaging.

[Carol Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating memoir about Richard Fortey's early life and how he became a scientist. Some of it is very amusing and Fortey has an engaging style. This will particularly appeal if you have an interest in fossils and natural science in general.

[David Yohalem · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent memoir about the accidents that bring us where we are and where we should be.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow scientist, a memoir I would have liked to write.

[Ian Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A time capsule and an interesting story, and well written.

[Roger Morgan-Grenville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful account of how a curious boy becomes a scientist. Full of fascinating facts, with presented with humanity and humility, and often with humour. Highly recommended.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 / 5 stars.

[Hilary May · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, probably should be more stars but I’m always stingy.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book upon my second attempt. This was another impulse charity shop buy made sometime last year that I really picked up in May of this year, having spent the week with Richard through reading this book, it was incredibly sad to find out of his death a mere month prior, a strange coincidence. Not just for fans of his, this book was lovely.

[The Inquisitive Biologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bewitching memoir, A Curious Boy tells of palaeontologist Richard Fortey's early years and shows the power of curiosity in shaping his life. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2021...