Clinton Hart Merriam

Clinton Hart Merriam cph.3b44758

Clinton Hart Merriam (December 5, 1855 – March 19, 1942) was an American zoologist, ornithologist, entomologist, and naturalist. He is best known for his work in the field of mammalogy and for founding the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which later became the Bureau of Biological Survey.

Early Life and Education

Clinton Hart Merriam was born in New York City to Clinton Levi Merriam, a U.S. Congressman, and Caroline Hart Merriam. He developed an early interest in natural history and was encouraged by his parents. Merriam attended Yale University and later studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, where he earned his M.D. degree in 1879.

Career

Merriam's career began with his appointment as a naturalist on the Hayden Geological Survey of the Western United States. His work on this survey led to significant contributions to the understanding of the fauna of the region. In 1885, he was appointed as the first head of the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy at the USDA. Under his leadership, the division conducted extensive surveys of the flora and fauna of North America.

Merriam is credited with developing the concept of life zones, which are distinct ecological areas characterized by specific climate and vegetation types. This concept was influential in the study of biogeography and ecology.

Contributions to Mammalogy

Merriam made significant contributions to the field of mammalogy, describing numerous new species of mammals. He was a founding member of the American Society of Mammalogists and served as its first president. His work laid the foundation for modern mammalogical research in North America.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from the USDA in 1910, Merriam continued his research and writing. He published numerous papers and books on natural history, mammalogy, and ethnography. Merriam's extensive collections of specimens and field notes are housed in various institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution.

Clinton Hart Merriam passed away on March 19, 1942, in Berkeley, California. His contributions to the fields of zoology, ornithology, and mammalogy continue to be recognized and celebrated.

Selected Works

• The Geographic Distribution of Life in North America (1892)
• North American Fauna (1890–1910)
• The Dawn of the World: Myths and Tales of the Miwok Indians of California (1910)

See Also

• American Society of Mammalogists
• Bureau of Biological Survey
• Life zones
• Biogeography