Biographical Sketch of

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Authors Goode, George Brown

Download date 25/09/2021 06:32:47

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/26460 Biographical Sketch of Spencer Fullerton Baird 1 University. He was, in 1878, awarded the silver medal of the Acclimatization Society of Melbourne; in 1879 the gold medal of the Societe d'Acclimatation of France, and in 1880 the Erster Ehren­ preiz of the Internationale Fischerei I. Outline of His Public Career. tered upon his life work in connection Aussteilung at Berlin, the gift of the Em­ with that foundation-"the increase and peror of Germany. In 1875 he received Spencer Fullerton Baird was born in diffusion of useful knowledge among from the King of Norway and Sweden Reading, Pennsylvania, February 3, men."* His work as an officer of the the decoration of "Knight of the Royal 1823. In 1834 he was sent to a Quaker Institution will be discussed more fully Norwegian Order of St. Olaf." He was boarding-school kept by Dr. McGraw, below. It was constant and arduous, but one of the early members of the National at Port Deposit, Maryland, and the year did not prevent the publication of many Academy of Sciences, and ever since the following to the Reading Grammar original memoirs, among the most organization has been a member of its School. In 1836 he entered Dickinson elaborate of which are the "Catalogue council. In 1850 and 1851 he served as College, and was graduated at the age of North American Serpents" (1853); the permanent secretary of the American of seventeen. After leaving college, his "Birds of North America" (1858); the Association for the Advancement of Sci­ time for several years was devoted to "Mammals of North America" (1859); ence, and since 1878 has been one of studies in general natural history, to long the "Review of North American Birds" the trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of pedestrian excursions for the purpose of (1864-' 66); the "Geographical Distribu­ Art in Washington. He has been presi­ observing animals and plants and col­ tion of North American Birds" (1865); dent of the Cosmos Club, and for many lecting specimens, and to the organiza­ the "History of North American Birds," years a trustee of Columbian University. tion of a private cabinet of natural his­ in connection with Thomas M. Brewer Among his honorary relations to numer­ tory, which a few years later became the and (1874), and the ous scientific societies of the United nucleus of the museum of the Smith­ preparation of numerous official reports. States and other countries are included sonian Institution. During this period From 1870 to 1878 he was scientific those offoreign membership in the Lin­ he published a number of original pa­ editor of the periodicals published by naean Society of London, and the Zoo­ pers on natural history. He also read Harper Brothers, of New York, and the logical Society of London, honorary medicine with Dr. Middleton Gold­ author of their yearly cyclopedia of sci­ membership in the Linnaean Society of smith, attending a winter course of lec­ ence, entitled "The Annual Record of New South Wales, and corresponding tures at the College of Physicians and Science and Industry." In 1871 he was membership in the K. K. Zoologisch­ Surgeons, in New York, in 1842. His appointed by President Grant to the po­ botanische Gesellschaft, Vienna; the medical course was never formally com­ sition of Commissioner of Sociedad de Geographia, Lisbon; the pleted, although in 1848 he received the Fish and Fisheries, an unsalaried office, New Zealand Institute; the Koninklijke degree of M. D., honoris causa, from to the duties of which he has for eleven Natuurkundige Vereeniging in Neder­ the Philadelphia Medical College. In years devoted a large portion of his time. landsch Indie, Batavia; the Magyar 1845 he was chosen professor of natu­ In 1876 he served as one of the Govern­ Tudomanyos Akademia, Buda-Pesth; the ral history in Dickinson College, and in ment Board of Commissioners to the In­ Societe Nationale des Sciences 1846 his duties and emoluments were ternational Exhibition at Philadelphia, Naturelles, Chergourg; the Academia increased by election to the chair of natu­ and was also a member of the interna­ Germanica Naturae Curiosorum, Jena; ral history and chemistry in the same in­ tional jury. In 1877 he was present, as the Naturforschende Gesellschaft, stitution. In 1848 he declined a call to advisory counsel, at the session of the Halle; the Naturhistorische Gesell­ the professorship of natural science in Halifax Fishery Commission. sChaft, Nuremburg; the Geographical the University of Vermont. In 1849 he In May, 1878, after the death of Pro­ Society of Quebec; the Historical Soci­ undertook his first extensive literary fessor Henry, he was, by the unanimous ety of New York; the Deutsche Fischerei work, translating and editing the text for vote of the Regents, elected Secretary Verein, Berlin. the "Iconographic Encyclopedia," an of the . The nomenclature of zoology con­ English version of Heck's Bilder Atlas, tains many memorials of his connection published in connection with Brock­ II. Honors and Dignities. with its history. A partial enumeration haus's Conversations Lexikon. shows that over twenty-five species and July 5, 1850, he accepted the posi­ Professor Baird, in 1856, received the one genus of fishes bear his name. tion of Assistant Secretary of the degree of Doctor of Physical Science A post-office in Shasta County, Cali­ Smithsonian Institution, and October 3, from Dickinson College, and in 1875 fornia, located near the McCloud River at the age of twenty-seven years, he en­ that ofDoctor of Laws from Columbian Salmon Hatching Station of the United States Fish Commission, was named *The motto of the Smithsonian Institution and of "Baird" by the Postmaster-General in 'From Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 30:v-xiii (1883). its founder, James Smithson. 1877.

40 Marine Fisheries Review III. Ancestry and tant element was the encouragement of a ration of a synonymy of North American Development of Character. judicious mother by whom he was per­ birds, and visiting Boston to consult the mitted to devote the five years immedi­ libraries ofAmos Binney and the Boston His ancestry upon the one side was ately following his graduation to his own Society of Natural History for works not English, upon the other Scotch and Ger­ devices and plans instead ofbeing pushed possessed by the Philadelphia Academy man. His paternal grandfather was at once into a profession. In 1841, at the of Natural Sciences. This material was Samuel Baird, of Pottstown, Pa., a sur­ age of eighteen, we find him making an utilized twelve years later in the "Birds veyor by profession, whose wife was ornithological excursion through the of North America." Rebecca Potts. The Bairds were from mountains of Pennsylvania, walking 400 As professor of natural history in Scotland, while the Potts family removed miles in twenty-one days, the last day 60 Dickinson College he taught the seniors from Germany to Pennsylvania at the miles between daylight and rest. The fol­ in physiology, the sophomores in geom­ close of the seventeenth century. His lowing year he walked more than 2,200 etry, and the freshmen in zoology. He great grandfather on the mother's side miles. His fine physique and consequent found time, however, to carry on the works was the Rev. Elihu Spencer, of Trenton, capacity for work are doubtless due in begun in previous years, and to make in one of the war preachers of the Revolu­ part to his outdoor life during these years. summer extended collecting expeditions: tion, whose patriotic eloquence was so To the Adirondacks in 1847; to Ohio in influential that a price was set on his head IV. Early Friendships 1848, to collect, in company with Dr. by the British Government; his daughter and Their Influence. Kirtland, from the original localities of the married William M. Biddle, a banker, of types, the fishes described by him in his an English family for many generations An important stimulus to the efforts work on the fishes of Ohio; to the moun­ established in Pennsylvania, and identi­ of this young naturalist was the friend­ tains of Virginia in 1849; and to Lake fied with the banking interests of Phila­ ship which he formed as early as 1838 Champlain and Lake Ontario in 1850. delphia. Samuel Baird, the father of the with [John James] Audubon, with whom When in 1850, upon the urgent rec­ subject of this sketch, established him­ he was for many years in correspondence, ommendation of the late George P. self as a lawyer at Reading, Pennsylva­ and who, in 1842, gave to him the greater Marsh, he was elected an officer of the nia, and died when his son was ten years part of his collection of birds, including Smithsonian Institution, he brought with old. He was a man of fine culture, a most of his types of new species. Young him to Washington methods of work, strong thinker, a close observer, and a Baird contributed many facts and speci­ developed in his personal experience, lover of nature and of out-of-door pur­ mens for the "History of North Ameri­ which became at once the methods of the suits. His traits were inherited by his can Quadrupeds" at that time in prepara­ establishment, and are still employed in children, but especially by his sons Spen­ tion [by Audubon], as well as to many of its departments. cer and William. The latter, who was the [Audubon's] "Ornithological Biogra­ elder, was the first to begin collecting phy," and was only prevented by ill health V. Analysis of His Work specimens, and as early as 1836 had in from accompanying Audubon as his sec­ and Its Results. hand a collection of the game-birds of retary on his six months' expedition to Cumberland County. His brother soon the Yellowstone in 1840. In those days There may be noted in the career of became his companion in this pursuit, and were formed many of the friendships and Professor Baird several distinct phases of six years later they published conjointly partnerships with scientific men which activity, namely, (1) a period of twenty­ a paper entitled "Descriptions of two spe­ influenced his after life. Among his early six years, 1843-1869, occupied in labori­ cies, supposed to be new, of the Genus correspondents were George N. ous investigation and voluminous publi­ Tyrranula Swainson, found in Cumber­ Lawrence (1841), (1843), cation upon the vertebrate fauna of North land County, Pennsylvania." John G. Morris (1843), Thomas M. America; (2) forty years of continuous There are still in the museum at Wash­ Brewer (1845), and S. S. Haldeman contribution to scientific literature, of ington specimens of birds prepared by (1845). In 1847 he met [Louis] Agassiz, which at least ten were devoted to scien­ these boys forty-five years ago by a then just arrived from Switzerland in tific editorship; (3) five years, 1845-1850, simple process of evisceration, followed company with Desor and Girard. At this devoted to educational work; (4) forty by stuffing the body-cavities full of cot­ time or a year later was projected the years, 1842-1883, devoted to the encour­ ton and arsenical soap. The brother, Wil­ work of Agassiz and Baird on "The agement and promotion of scientific en­ liam M. Baird, diverged into other paths, Fresh-water Fishes of the United States," terprises, and the development of new and at the time of his death in 1872 was which was, however, never published, workers among the young men with United States collector of internal rev­ although a number of illustrations and whom he was brought into contact; (5) enue at Reading. some pages of text were elaborated. In thirty-three years, 1850-1883, devoted to The inheritance of a love of nature and 1843 he translated Ehrenberg's "Corals administrative work as an officer of the a taste for scientific classification, the of the Red Sea" for 1. D. Dana, who was Smithsonian Institution, and in charge of companionship of a brother similarly then preparing his reports for the United the scientific collections of the govem­ gifted, tended to the development of the States exploring expedition. As early as ment-twenty-eight as principal executive young naturalist, and a still more impor­ 1846 we find him engaged in the prepa­ officer and five as Secretary and re­

58(1-2), 1996 41 sponsible head; (6) twelve years as head tebrates. I note among mammals 49, to supply them with all the appliances for of the Fish Commission, a philanthropic birds 70, reptiles 186, fishes 56. Forty­ collecting, as well as with instructions for labor for the increase of the food-supply nine of 220, or nearly one-fourth, of the their use, and also in most cases to orga­ of the world, and incidentally in promot­ mammals discussed in the "Mammals of nize the natural history parties, nominate ing the interests of biological and physi­ North America," were there described for the collectors, employ and supervise the cal investigation of the waters. the first time. In the catalogue of ser­ artists in preparing the plates, and in many pents not more than 60 per cent. [sic] had instances to edit the zoological portions VI. Contributions to Science been named, and in preparation for study­ of the reports. and Scientific Literature. ing the specimens, each was carefully The fitting out of such expeditions was ticketed with its locality, and then the only a small part of the work; from the The extent of Professor Baird's con­ 2,000 or more individuals were thrown beginning until now there have been nu­ tributions to science and scientific litera­ indiscriminately into one great pile, and merous private collectors, deriving their ture may be at least partially compre­ the work of sorting them out by resem­ materials, their literature, and, to a con­ hended by an examination of the succeed­ blances was begun. Not the least valu­ siderable extent, their enthusiasm from ing pages of the present work. The list able have been the numerous accurate the Smithsonian Institution, and conse­ of his writings is complete to the end of figures of North American vertebrates, quently in correspondence with its offic­ the year 1882, and contains 1,063 titles. prepared under Professor Baird's super­ ers. The Smithsonian "Instructions to Col­ Of this number 775 are brief notices and vision. These include representatives of lectors," which has passed through sev­ critical reviews contributed to the "An­ 170 species of mammals and 160 spe­ eral large editions, as well as numerous nual Record of Science and Industry," cies of reptiles, besides still many hun­ circulars written with a similar purpose, while under his editorial charge, 31 are dreds of birds. were prepared by Professor Baird in con­ reports relating to the work of the nection with this department of his work. Smithsonian Institution, 7 are reports VII. Educational and As a result of this extensive work of upon the American fisheries, 25 are Administrative Works. organization, a large number of young schedules and circulars officially issued, men have been trained as collectors and and 25 are volumes or papers edited. Out Passing to the consideration of the in­ observers, and among them not a few of the remaining 200 the majority are for­ fluence of Professor Baird on the encour­ have become eminent in various depart­ mal contributions to scientific literature. agement of scientific enterprise, it seems ments of science. It seems scarcely necessary to remark scarcely necessary to call attention to the In addition to this special branch of that most of the official reports above manner in which this influence has been his work, the assistant secretary had, from referred to, as well as many of the brief exerted, since the relation of the the start, the charge of certain depart­ articles in the "Annual Record," contain Smithsonian Institution to scientific ex­ ments of the routine work of the Institu­ important original matter. ploration, particularly in the lines of natu­ tion; the system of international ex­ Nineteen of the descriptive papers ral history and ethnology, is a part of the changes, for instance, which had ever were published conjointly with Charles scientific history of the country, and since been one of the leading objects of the Girard, while the most elaborate work, this department of the work of the Insti­ Smithsonian Institution, was organized "The Birds of North America," was pre­ tution was always from its inception un­ by him in its details. His first task, after pared in its first edition with the aid of der the direction of the assistant secre­ entering upon his duties, was to distrib­ Messrs. Cassin and Lawrence, and in its tary. The first grant made by the Institu­ ute the second volume of the "Smith­ second with that of Messrs. Brewer and tion for scientific exploration and field sonian Contributions to Knowledge." Ridgway. research was in 1848 to Spencer F. Baird, Already in connection with his private Of the total number of papers enumer­ ofCarlisle, for the exploration ofthe bone enterprises he had developed a somewhat ated in the list 73 relate to mammals, 80 caves and the local natural history of extensive system of exchanges with Eu­ to birds, 43 to reptiles, 431 to fishes, 61 Southeastern Pennsylvania. ropean and American correspondents, to invertebrates (these being chiefly re­ From the start the Department of Ex­ and the methods thus established were views), 16 to plants, 88 to geographical piorations was under his charge; and in expanded for the wider needs of the In­ distribution, 46 to geology, mineralogy, his reports to the Secretary, published stitution. The main duty of the assistant and paleontology, 45 to anthropology, 31 year by year in the annual report of the secretary, however, was the development to industry and art, 109 to exploration and Institution, may be found the only sys­ of the natural history collections. As has travel. tematic record of government explora­ already been indicated, the private col­ While the number of new species de­ tions which has ever been prepared. lection which he brought with him to scribed does not necessarily afford any From 1850 to 1860 several extensive Washington formed the nucleus of the clew [sic] to the value of the work ac­ government expeditions were sent to the Smithsonian museum. The only speci­ complished, it may not be uninteresting western territories, and it became the duty mens in possession of the Institution at to refer to it as an indication of the pio­ of Professor Baird to enlist the sympa­ the time of his arrival were a few boxes neer work which it was necessary to do thies of the commanders of these expe­ of minerals and plants. The collections even in so prominent a group as the ver­ ditions in the objects of the Institution, of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition,

42 Marine Fisheries Review which constitute the legal foundation of Congress passed ajoint resolution which for research to be stored in the national the National Museum ofthe United States, authorized the appointment of a Commis­ and other museums for future use. were at that time under the charge of the sioner of Fish and Fisheries. The duties 2. The investigation of the methods National Institute; and, although by the act of the Commissioner were thus defined: of fisheries, past and present, and the sta­ of incorporation the Smithsonian Institu­ 'To prosecute investigations on the sub­ tistics of production and commerce of tion was the legal custodian of the national ject (of the diminution of valuable fishes) fishery products. Man being one of the cabinet ofcuriosities, it was not until 1857 with the view of ascertaining whether any chief destroyers of fish, his influence that the Regents finally accepted the trust and what diminution in the number of upon their abundance must be studied. and the National Museum was definitely food-fishes of the coast and the lakes of Fishery methods and apparatus must be placed under the control of the the United States has taken place; and, if examined and compared with those of Smithsonian Institution and transferred to so, to what causes the same is due; and other lands, that the use of those which its building. Until this time Congress had also whether any and what protective, threaten the destruction of useful fishes granted no funds for the support of the prohibitory, or precautionary measures may be discouraged, and that those which Smithsonian cabinets, and the collections should be adopted in the premises, and are inefficient may be replaced by others had been acquired and cared for at the to report upon the same to Congress." more serviceable. Statistics of industry expense of the endowment fund. They The resolution establishing the office and trade must be secured for the use of had, however, become so large and im­ of Commissioner of Fisheries required Congress in making treaties or imposing portant in 1857 that the so-called "National that the person to be appointed should be tariffs, to show to producers the best Collection" at that time acquired were a civil officer of the government, of markets, and to consumers where and small in comparison. proved scientific and practical acquain­ with what their needs may be supplied. The National Museum then had a tance with the fishes of the coast, to serve 3. The introduction and multiplication double origin. Its actual although not its without additional salary. The choice was of useful food-fishes throughout the coun­ legal nucleus was the collection gathered thus practically limited to a single man. try, especially in waters under the juris­ in the Smithsonian building prior to 1857. Professor Baird, at that time assistant sec­ diction ofthe general government, or those Its methods of administration, which retary of the Smithsonian Institution, was common to several States, none of which were in fact the very same that had been appointed and at once entering upon his might feel willing to make expenditures developed by Professor Baird in Carlisle duties soon developed a systematic for the benefit of the others. This work, as early as 1845, are those which are still scheme of investigation. which was not contemplated when the in use, and which have stood the test of The Fish Commission now fills a Commission was established, was first thirty years without any necessity for their place tenfold more extensive and useful undertaken at the instance of the Ameri­ modification becoming apparent. In the than at first. Its work is naturally divided can Fish Cultural Association, whose rep­ bibliography below [Goode, 1883] is re­ into three sections: resentatives induced Congress to make a printed from the fifth annual report of the I. The systematic investigation of the special appropriation for the purpose. Smithsonian Institution, now exceedingly waters of the United States and the bio­ rare, a report by the assistant secretary in logical and physical problems which they IX. Epilogue. charge of the natural history department present. The scientific studies of the for the year 1850, which enumerates the Commission are based upon a liberal and Comment upon the facts presented in specimens belonging to the Museum on philosophical interpretation of the law. In this biographical sketch seems to be un­ January l, 1851, including a full account making his original plans the Commis­ necessary. Future historians of Ameri­ of his own deposit. sioner insisted that to study only the food­ can science will be better able than are Having thus almost from the very out­ fishes would be of little importance, and we to estimate justly the value of the con­ set been associated with Professor Henry that useful conclusions must needs rest tributions to scientific literature which are in the organization of the Smithsonian In­ upon a broad foundation ofinvestigations enumerated in the bibliography; but no stitution, his course since his accession purely scientific in character. The life one not living in the present can form an to the secretaryship has been a consis­ history of species of economic value accurate idea of the personal influence tent continuation of that which had for should be understood from beginning to of a leader upon his associates, and upon twenty-eight years been adopted. end, but no less requisite is it to know the progress of thought in his special de­ the histories of the animals and plants partment, nor can such an influence as VIII. Work as Commissioner upon which they feed or upon which their this well be set down in words. This in­ of Fisheries. food is nourished; the histories of their fluence is apparently due not only to ex­ enemies and friends, and the friends and traordinary skill in organization, to great The work of the Fish Commission, in foes of their enemies and friends, as well power of application and concentration one of its aspects, may perhaps be re­ as the currents, temperatures, and other of thought constantly applied, and to a garded as the most prominent of the physical phenomena of the waters in re­ philosophical and comprehensive mind, present efforts of the government in aid lation to migration, reproduction, and but to an entire and self-sacrificing de­ of aggressive biological research. growth. A necessary accompaniment to votion to the interests of his own work On the 9th of February, 1874 [sic], this division is the amassing of material and that of others.

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