2009: Edward. O. Wilson and James Watson

On September 9th, 2009, Edward O. Wilson (left) and James Watson (right) shared the stage at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre to reflect on two storied careers and their own sometimes acrimonious relationship when both taught at Harvard beginning in the 1950s. The event, sponsored by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, was moderated by TV and radio journalist Robert Krulwich.

I was invited to attend the event and to sit on the front row that evening by Neil Patterson, Chairman of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. I hadn’t planned to photograph but was so taken by the interchange between Wilson and Watson and my extraordinary view of the stage, I pulled out my small Leica D-Luxe 3 camera, and began to take pictures.

I assigned myself the job of documenting this historic event.