Lester R. Brown Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

According to Washington post, Lester R. Brown is regarded as a ‘bonafide thinker’ and a guru when it comes to the study of ecology. He is rightly known as an environmentalist, non-fiction writer, and scientist. He has fully analyzed and shared a broad range of greenie issues, and in return, he founded a non-profit research organization called Earth Policy Institute. Hailing from a decent family, Lester appreciated his livelihood. He spent his childhood life in a small-sized farm hence electricity and running water was insufficient. Nevertheless, he acted like a real leader in his family to the point of encouraging his brother, Carl to start agribusiness. After some time Carl’s business fathomed beyond expectations in New Jersey. Before fame, Lester joined the Rutgers University of Agricultural Science. Read further to know more about his early and later achievements.

Childhood And Early Life

On March 28th, 1934 Lester Russel Brown was first seen in the world in New Jersey. During his teenage life, Brown turned into a book warmer where he read anything that was readable. It came to a point where he had nothing else to scrutinize, so he kept on borrowing other people’s newspapers. His creativity and zest for greatness made him earn a degree at Rutgers University. Before then, he helped his parents on their farm in NY.As a result; he employed an enterprising skill that encouraged his brother, Carl to start up tomato farming business.

In 1955 Lester earned his first degree in agricultural science from Rutgers University. It was also the same year that he joined International Farm Youth Exchange Program in India. After receiving a degree from the University of Maryland, Brown opted to accede to the US Department of Agriculture.

Career

In the mid of 1959, Lester went to Asia to serve as an agricultural analyst in the Foreign Agricultural Services faculty. The following year, he joined Harvard University where he earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration.
In 1963, Lester wrote and published his most notable work called Man, Land, and Food. It was one of his major books that were featured in the United States new World Report. As a result, he was invited by Orville Freeman who acted as the Secretary of Agriculture to come and help in various environmental fields. It was during his service that Lester counseled several agricultural departments.

Early in the 1960s, Lester resigned from his previous position where he got a seat at International Agricultural Development Service. His end aim was to increase the level of food production and management.

In 1974 Lester established an Institute called World Watch Organization that dealt with the study of environmental change. In 1986 to 1995 Brown took the time to write an article titled “Who Will Feed China?” 

In 2001 Brown left the Worldwatch Institute where he went to inaugurate another organization called Earth Policy Institute. It was the only group that brought massive development in the world.

At 79 years of age, Lester authored his memoir titled Breaking New Ground. In 2015, at 81 years of age, he ended his Institute- Earth Policy Institute after his resignation.

Personal Life And Major Achievements

Brown’s environmental books and articles have greatly illustrated several ways to curb food scarcity. As a result, awards and recognitions followed him from 1991 to 2010. Some of the notable ones include the Humanist of the Year Award, Delphi International Cooperation Award and Earth Hall of Fame. There is little to glean information about Lester’s personal life.