H. C. Yarrow

Henry Cr%C3%A9cy Yarrow (1840%E2%80%931929)

Harry Crécy Yarrow (November 19, 1840 – December 2, 1929) was an American surgeon, naturalist, and ethnologist. He is best known for his work in herpetology and his contributions to the study of Native American burial customs.

Early Life and Education

Yarrow was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his medical degree in 1861. During the American Civil War, Yarrow served as a surgeon in the Union Army.

Career

After the war, Yarrow became involved in various scientific expeditions. He worked with the United States Geological Survey and participated in the Wheeler Survey of the American West. His work in these surveys contributed significantly to the fields of herpetology and ethnology.

Herpetology

Yarrow made substantial contributions to the study of reptiles and amphibians. He described several new species and was instrumental in cataloging the herpetofauna of the western United States. His work laid the foundation for future herpetological research in the region.

Ethnology

Yarrow's interest in Native American cultures led him to study their burial customs extensively. His publication, "Introduction to the Study of Mortuary Customs Among the North American Indians," remains a seminal work in the field of ethnology.

Personal Life

Yarrow married Mary Elizabeth Yarrow and had several children. He was a member of various scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Ethnological Society.

Legacy

Yarrow's contributions to science and medicine have had a lasting impact. His work in herpetology and ethnology continues to be referenced by researchers and scholars.

Selected Publications

• "Introduction to the Study of Mortuary Customs Among the North American Indians" (1880)
• "Report upon the Collections of Batrachians and Reptiles Made in Portions of Nevada, Utah, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona During the Years 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874" (1875)

See Also

• Herpetology
• Ethnology
• Native American burial customs
• Wheeler Survey