Naming Nature
 A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers

From New York Times bestselling author T. A. Barron comes this captivating exploration of how human cultures across time and geography have described the living world around them. From the poetic to the practical, the reverent to the resourceful, every language holds unique insights into how we perceive and relate to nature.

Drawing on etymology, folklore, and linguistic nuance, this richly illustrated volume uncovers the meanings behind the names we give to animals and plants — from the “unstoppable one” (elephant in Tsawna and Tsonga) to the delicate metaphors for butterflies and birds in ancient and modern tongues. Whether rooted in mythology, survival, or awe, these words reveal the deep interconnection between language and landscape.

Featuring gorgeous illustrations sourced from the Bodleian’s archives, Naming Nature is a celebration of cultural and ecological diversity — and a beautiful gift for nature lovers, word enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the ways we speak of the wild.

T. A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. Following his lifelong dream to become a writer, he left a successful business career as president of a private equity firm in New York, and returned to Colorado. Today he is the award-winning author of more than 30 highly acclaimed books, including the international bestselling series the Merlin Saga, now being developed into a feature film by Disney. Jane Goodall has called his newest book, Naming Nature, “a glorious celebration of nature’s beauty, a love poem to language, and a heartfelt plea to save the environment for all living creatures.” In addition to writing and speaking and hosting his podcast, Magic & Mountains, T. A. Barron has helped to create several programs to support young leaders around the world, including the Patagonia program for Rhodes Scholars, the Boundless conservation fellowships at World Wildlife Fund, and the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. He also serves on many environmental and educational boards, including Princeton University, where he helped to create the High Meadows Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work.
For more information, visit www.TABarron.com 

We are delighted that Yan Chen (China & St John's 2019) will be moderating this discussion. Yan Chen's work has spanned community and relationship building, non-profit governance, programme and learning design, philanthropic and fundraising research, startup team management, and various roles in the literary and creative arts. She holds degrees in literature, theatre, and anthropology from Oxford, Harvard, and Nanjing Universities, where she researched cultural perspectives on loneliness, ageing, and disease. 

She would like to thank the Rhodes Patagonia Travel Programme for Environmental Stewardship, generously created by T. A. Barron, which forever reshaped her relationship to the environment and which ongoingly inspires her to live a life more attuned to and in praise of nature.

Please feel free to submit any questions in advance to alumni@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk or you can use the Q&A function within Zoom to ask questions directly during the live event.

Part of the Lifelong Fellowship portfolio, The Scholars’ Library is a monthly book talk series, where Rhodes alumni can come together to present, discover and debate their literary works. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to alumni@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk