R.D. Lawrence, the son of an English father and a Spanish mother, was born at sea, aboard a British passenger ship sailing in Spanish territorial waters. His early years in Spain and his Spanish Civil War and World War II experiences are well-documented in his autobiography, The Green Trees Beyond.

After taking up residence in Canada in 1954, Lawrence concerned himself with the environment and with the study of wildlife and plants. His contribution to our understanding of nature through his long-term field studies and award-winning publications was significant and continues to receive international acclaim.

The author of twenty-seven books, R.D. Lawrence was published in twenty-six countries and fifteen languages. The author passed away at the age of 82 on November 27, 2003, in the village of Haliburton, Ontario.