While she originally planned to be a writer, she received her Bachelor's degree in biology from Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University) in 1929 and her Master's degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932.
Her interest in writing, however, never faded. She started her career as a marine biologist, but her talents as a science writer and her dedication to environmental protection led her to become a renowned author, particularly known for her groundbreaking book "Silent Spring" which exposed the dangers of pesticides and ultimately helped to launch the modern environmental movement.