Edward Osborne Wilson (born June 10, 1929) is an American biologist, researcher (sociobiology, biodiversity), theorist (consilience, biophilia), naturalist (conservationist) and author. His biological specialty is myrmecology, the study of ants, on which he is considered to be the world's leading expert.Wilson is known for his scientific career, his role as "the father of sociobiology" and "the father of biodiversity",his environmental advocacy, and his secular-humanist and deist ideas pertaining to religious and ethical matters.Edward Osborne Wilson was awarded the Hubbard Medal, the National Geographic Society's highest honor in 2013.