Angus Wright
Encyclopedia
Angus Wright is professor emeritus
and one of the founders of the Environmental Studies program at California State University, Sacramento
, where he taught from 1972–2005. (Wes Jackson
was another of the founders.)
Wright earned his Ph.D. in Latin American History from the University of Michigan
in 1976 with a dissertation on "Market, Land and Class: Southern Bahia, Brazil, 1890–1942." He has done research in Mexico
and Brazil
with the support of Fulbright and Doherty Research grants.
Wright's first book was The Death of Ramon Gonzalez: The Modern Agricultural Dilemma (University of Texas Press, 1990). This book is now available in an updated, second edition, published in 2005 by the University of Texas Press
.
Wright is the co-author of To Inherit the Earth: The Landless Movement and the Struggle for a New Brazil, published in 2003 by Food First!
. He joined ecologists Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer of the University of Michigan to write Nature's Matrix: Linking Conservation, Agriculture, and Food Sovereignty, published in 2009 by Earthscan
Press of London. He has also written numerous articles on environmental history and the social and environmental consequences of agriculture and of property ownership in the Americas.
Wright has served as President and board member of the Pesticide Action Network North America and the Institute for Food and Development Policy (Food First
) and is Chairman of the Board of The Land Institute. As a member of the Investigative Mechanism (an independent citizen review board) of the Inter-American Development Bank
, he coordinated a study of Latin America's largest hydroelectric plant, Yacyreta. He continues to lecture frequently at universities around the United States. From 2005 through 2007 he served as a lead author on the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, sponsored by the United Nations
, the World Bank
, and a variety of other institutions and organizations and now available in various forms from Island Press
.
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
and one of the founders of the Environmental Studies program at California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
, where he taught from 1972–2005. (Wes Jackson
Wes Jackson
-Early life and Education:Jackson was born and raised on a farm near Topeka, Kansas. After earning a BA in biology from Kansas Wesleyan University, an MA in botany from the University of Kansas, and a PhD in genetics from North Carolina State University, Wes Jackson established and served as chair...
was another of the founders.)
Wright earned his Ph.D. in Latin American History from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1976 with a dissertation on "Market, Land and Class: Southern Bahia, Brazil, 1890–1942." He has done research in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
with the support of Fulbright and Doherty Research grants.
Wright's first book was The Death of Ramon Gonzalez: The Modern Agricultural Dilemma (University of Texas Press, 1990). This book is now available in an updated, second edition, published in 2005 by the University of Texas Press
University of Texas Press
The University of Texas Press is a university press that is part of the University of Texas at Austin. Established in 1950, the Press publishes scholarly books in several areas, including Latin American studies, Texana, anthropology, U.S...
.
Wright is the co-author of To Inherit the Earth: The Landless Movement and the Struggle for a New Brazil, published in 2003 by Food First!
Food First
Food First, also known as the Institute for Food and Development Policy, is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, USA. Founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins, it describes itself as a "people's think tank and education-for-action center".Its mission is “to...
. He joined ecologists Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer of the University of Michigan to write Nature's Matrix: Linking Conservation, Agriculture, and Food Sovereignty, published in 2009 by Earthscan
Earthscan
Earthscan is an English language publisher of books and journals on climate change, sustainable development and environmental technology for academic, professional and general readers....
Press of London. He has also written numerous articles on environmental history and the social and environmental consequences of agriculture and of property ownership in the Americas.
Wright has served as President and board member of the Pesticide Action Network North America and the Institute for Food and Development Policy (Food First
Food First
Food First, also known as the Institute for Food and Development Policy, is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, USA. Founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins, it describes itself as a "people's think tank and education-for-action center".Its mission is “to...
) and is Chairman of the Board of The Land Institute. As a member of the Investigative Mechanism (an independent citizen review board) of the Inter-American Development Bank
Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean...
, he coordinated a study of Latin America's largest hydroelectric plant, Yacyreta. He continues to lecture frequently at universities around the United States. From 2005 through 2007 he served as a lead author on the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, sponsored by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, and a variety of other institutions and organizations and now available in various forms from Island Press
Island press
Island Press is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, environmental publisher based in Washington, D.C., that specializes in natural history, ecology, conservation, and the built environment...
.