Norman Wallace Lermond established a robust foundation in both socialist activism and natural history. He began his career in community organization, helping to found the Thomaston Farmers' Exchange and the New England Milk Association. Lermond later transitioned into high-finance, where he spent several years managing institutional risk. His commitment to socialism led him to found the Socialist Party of Maine and establish Utopia Park (Knox Arboretum), alongside the Brotherhood of the Co-operative Commonwealth and the Equality Colony. Concurrently, he pursued a passion for natural history, conducting extensive research on flora and fauna across various regions and working as an assistant in the Department of Mollusks at Harvard College.

Norman Wallace Lermond's political identity is shaped by an unusual blend of socialist activism and naturalist scholarship. He uniquely advocated for local unions to pioneer socialism, evidenced by his establishment of Utopia Park and the Brotherhood of the Co-operative Commonwealth. His naturalist pursuits, including his work with Harvard College, suggest a deeply rooted, localized approach to both his political and scientific endeavors. This juxtaposition of radical political theory with meticulous natural research hints at a highly calculated, if unconventional, strategic philosophy.