The E.O. Wilson controversy: racist, defender of academic freedom, or what?

When one of the most preeminent biologists of the 20th century, Edward O. Wilson, died on 26 December 2021, at age 92, there was an outpouring of testimonials to his influential career as a scientist and his environmental advocacy. But along with that well deserved fanfare also came a pointed attack on his character and legacy in the pages of Scientific…