(1834–1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor who . A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin’s theories of evolution, he denounced religious dogma, authored philosophical treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem cell. At the heart of Haeckel’s was the motivation not only to discover but also to explain. To do this, he created of his findings which he published in successive volumes, including several marine organism collections and the majestic ( , which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel’s entire life project. Like , Haeckel’s work was as remarkable for its graphic precision and meticulous shading as for its understanding of organic evolution. From bats to the box jellyfish, lizards to lichen, and spider legs to sea anemones, Haeckel and found biological beauty in even the most unlikely of creatures. In this book, we celebrate the of Haeckel’s work, with a collection of from several of his most important tomes, including , , and . At a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities, the book is at once .