Desmond Morris: Zoologist, Author, and Presenter
Desmond Morris, the zoologist widely recognized for his influential book The Naked Ape and his role on the ITV programme Zoo Time, has passed away at the age of 98.
His son Jason Morris paid tribute to his father following his death on Sunday, highlighting both his professional accomplishments and his dedication as a family man.
“His was a lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity,” Jason said. “A zoologist, manwatcher, author and artist, he was still writing and painting right up until his death. He was a great man and an even better father and grandfather.”
Morris gained international prominence in 1967 when The Naked Ape became a bestseller. Alongside his zoological work, he was a prolific surrealist artist, often painting late into the night. He acknowledged that his artistic creations were sometimes indirectly influenced by his extensive knowledge of natural history and his lifelong fascination with the reproductive behaviour of animals.
Early Life and Education
Born in Wiltshire in 1928, Morris began his national service in the British army in 1946, serving for two years before pursuing his interests in the arts and natural history.
He studied zoology at the University of Birmingham and later completed a doctorate in animal behaviour at the University of Oxford, where he focused on the reproductive behaviour of birds.
Career in Television and Art
Morris became the face of the ITV Granada nature series Zoo Time in 1956. The programme, which ran until 1967, featured animal experts and zoo staff discussing animal behaviour.
He also hosted art exhibitions, including a notable 1957 exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London that combined his interests in animals and painting, showcasing works created by chimpanzees.
In 1958, Morris co-organised an exhibition titled The Lost Image, which compared images created by infants, human adults, and apes. This exhibition was displayed at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Professional Roles and Contributions
In 1959, Morris was appointed curator of mammals at the Zoological Society of London’s zoo, a position he held for eight years.
He began working with the BBC in 1965, hosting the programme Life in the Animal World. Over the years, he presented numerous documentaries for the corporation, including Manwatching (1977), TV And Natural History (1986), and The Human Animal (1994). He also made regular appearances on shows such as The Animals Roadshow and Friday Night And Saturday Morning.
Publications and Academic Work
Following the success of The Naked Ape: A Zoologist’s Study Of The Human Animal in 1967, Morris authored several follow-up books, including The Human Zoo (1969), Manwatching (1977), and The Naked Man (1977). Throughout his academic career, he contributed to more than 90 titles, dedicating decades to the study of animals and zoology.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Morris continued to devote himself to both his academic pursuits and artistic endeavours.
In 2017, the BBC released a programme titled The Secret Surrealist, which highlighted Morris and his artwork, exploring his "double-life" as a painter. Reflecting on his art, Morris told last year that one of his paintings from 1948 had sold for over £50,000 two years prior.
“I was cross because I wanted to buy it myself. It was one of my favourite paintings and I wanted it back.”
