Janet Browne is a zoologist and historian of science. She was formerly a Professor in the History of Biology at the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at University College, London. She is currently the Aramont Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University.

"Brilliantly penetrating...utterly riveting" Daily Telegraph "Browne knows how to spellbind the reader... The definitive Darwin biography" -- Ernst Mayr New York Newsday "An authoritative and highly readable biography which uncovers the complex process of scientific discovery" Independent "It is wonderful and marvellous, even magisterial" -- Stephen Jay Gould New York Review of Books "Splendid. Her qualifications as a trained biologist, historian of science and skilled editor of the correspondence out her in an ideal position... A wonderful read" Nature