In the early 1940s, Maine's Norman Wallace Lermond (1861–1944) commenced writing his autobiography, which included his encounters with a number of historically prominent individuals. The autobiography was never completed, being cut short by Lermond's death. For over half a century, this document has lain undisturbed (and unread) among the files of the Department of Mollusks of Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology. Lermond's unfinished autobiography, dealing primarily with his boyhood and his involvement with socialism, is reproduced here, with limited editing, as an historical document. Lermond was noteworthy for two reasons. First, he was one of the foremost naturalists in New England and labored tirelessly to interest and organize both professionals and amateurs alike to study the natural history of Maine. Second, Lermond was among the vanguard in the development of socialism in this country and once even ran for governor of Maine (in 1900) on the Socialist ticket. Supplemental material is provided herein of Lermond's contributions to natural history, including a list of his scientific publications.