Stephen Jay Gould, Harvard’s famed evolutionary biologist whose prolific writings brought science to the masses and whose ground-breaking theories and outspoken style stirred controversy in his field, died yesterday morning at his home in New York, 20 years after first being diagnosed with cancer. He was 60.

Gould, who was Agassiz professor of zoology and professor of geology, developed an evolutionary theory known as “punctuated equilibrium” that suggests the process of evolution—traditionally conceived as slow and steady—is actually broken up by short periods of relatively rapid change.

Since becoming a Harvard professor in 1967, he wrote more than 100 essays and dozens of books on subjects relating to natural history, many of which aimed to introduce his field to a broader public.

From 1974 to 2001, he published 300 consecutive monthly columns in Natural History magazine without missing a month. The essays were collected into 10 volumes, the last of which was published earlier this month.

Last month, Gould published The Structure of Evolutionary Theory, a 1,433-page work which took 20 years to write.

In 1982, Gould underwent successful treatment for cancer that doctors had said was terminal. He recounted the experience in his renowned essay “The Median Isn’t the Message,” where he wrote of learning that, statistically speaking, he had a matter of months to live but decided to defy the odds.

Gould announced to his Science B-16, “History of Life” class on April 9 that he had been diagnosed with new tumors and was preparing for surgery later that week. But he remained confident that he would complete the class.

Gould insisted on making up the lectures he missed this semester for surgery and treatment during reading period.

“You’re looking at the first person who’s ever been cured of an abdominal mesothelioma, so far as we know,” he told the class. “I’m going to tell keep telling everyone, ‘I’ve got 20 more years’ work to do, so they’ve got to keep me going.’”

“That’s a minimum,” Gould added. “I mean, I’d take 30 if anybody would give it to me. But I need 20.”

Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles wrote in an e-mail that “the world is a sadly duller and less informed place” without Gould.

University President Lawrence H. Summers said in a statement yesterday that he was “deeply saddened” by Gould’s death.

“The Harvard community and the world of science have lost a brilliant scholar whose research helped redefine our notion of who we are and where we came from. He was also a gifted teacher who brought important scientific ideas vividly to life for his students and for the wider public,” Summers said. “We will miss him greatly, and we will continue to learn from his work for generations to come.”

Other colleagues of Gould said he was always able to interest people in science.

“He was one of those rare people who combined a fantastic career in science with a wonderful ability to communicate that science to the general public,” said Jeremy Bloxham, chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, where Gould held his appointment.