David Macdonald, head of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University, will deliver a public lecture in April during his first visit to Cornell University as an Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large. Macdonald will speak on "The Ecology of Carnivore Societies," Wednesday, April 7, at 8 p.m. in 155 Olin Hall on the Cornell campus.

Macdonald joins two distinguished A.D. White professors who return to campus in April: Roger Chartier and Phillip V. Tobias.

Chartier, considered one of the world's foremost cultural historians, will speak on "The Stage and the Page: Theatrical Performances and Printed Editions in Early Modern Europe," Tuesday, April 20, at 4:30 p.m. in Kaufmann Auditorium of Goldwin Smith Hall. He also will offer the following seminars, each at 4:30 p.m. in the Guerlac Room of the A.D. White House:

• "Memorial Reconstructions: Coppied onely by the eare," Wednesday, April 21;
• "Punctuation: The Materiality of Text," Monday, April 26; and
• "Censorship: the Three-Texts 'Dom Juan,'" Tuesday, April 27.

Phillip Valentine Tobias, one of the world's leading experts on prehistoric human ancestors, will speak on "Water and Evolution" Thursday, April 22, at 8 p.m. in Goldwin Smith D.

David Macdonald

Macdonald earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Wadham and Balliol Colleges at Oxford in 1977 after receiving his B.A. in zoology from Wadham College in 1972.

As a wildlife behavioral ecologist with extensive international research experience, Macdonald is renowned for his work with endangered species, wildlife problems and diseases, and wildlife habitat management. In addition to his 200 research and technical publications and books, Macdonald has been very successful communicating his science to a wider audience through nontechnical writing, radio broadcasting and producing numerous documentary films.

Among his awards associated with popularizing biology are Best Documentary Film of 1976, from the British Academy of Film & TV Arts, for Night of the Fox; Wildscreen 1988 award for Meerkats United; and winner of the 1988 Natural History Book of the Year for Running with the Fox.

James Lassoie, chair of Cornell's Department of Natural Resources, said: "Our department is experiencing enhanced interest in our wildlife program, which includes students not only in our major but also those from animal science, biology and elsewhere. Given this momentum, we are indeed fortunate to be hosting Dr. Macdonald as an A.D. White Professor-at-Large, as many across campus will find him to be a very interesting scientist. Students and faculty, as well as many off campus, will find him to be an engaging and stimulating speaker."

Roger Chartier

Chartier's areas of research expertise include the history of the book, the media and its message, and the history and dynamics of popular culture. He currently presides over the conseil scientific of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Sciences de I'Information et des Bibliotheques, and he holds two of France's highest honors: chevalier in the Order of the Legion of Honor and in the Order of Arts and Letters.

Phillip V. Tobias

Tobias is professor of anatomy and human biology emeritus and honorary director of the Palaeo-Anthropology Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tobias, 72, has been honored for his work in many areas, including hominid paleontology, human biological diversity and genetics, skeletal biology and comparative anatomy. His honors include being nominated three times for a Nobel Prize, a dozen honorary doctorates and South Africa's Order for Meritorious Service.

Cornell's Andrew D. White Professors-at-Large program was started in 1965 in honor of the university's first president. Participants are chosen for their prominence in diverse disciplines and are appointed for six-year terms. At any one time, up to 18 outstanding intellectuals from across the globe hold the title of A.D. White Professor-at-Large and are considered full members of the Cornell faculty.