Alfred Kinsey
Alfred Kinsey was an American zoologist and sexologist known for his groundbreaking studies on human sexual behavior.
Zoologist
June 23, 1894
Cancer
August 25, 1956
62
Hoboken, New Jersey
Alfred Charles Kinsey (June 23, 1894 â August 25, 1956) was a renowned American zoologist, biologist, and sexologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of human sexuality through his groundbreaking research. His most notable works, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953), revolutionized the way society viewed sexual behavior and paved the way for the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.
Besides his influential work on human sexuality, Kinsey was also a prominent entomologist. He had a keen interest in gall wasps and collected over 7 million specimens, which he later donated to the American Museum of Natural History. His collection remains valuable for scientific research today.
Kinsey founded the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University, now known as the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. Throughout his career, he focused on studying and understanding human sexual behavior, breaking societal taboos, and advocating for sexual education and acceptance.
Though his research was controversial during his time, Kinsey’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of sexology and our comprehension of human sexuality. His contributions continue to influence discussions and policies related to sexual behavior, gender, and reproductive rights.