C. Hart Merriam

1855-1942
C. Hart Merriam - Public Domain Photo
  • U.S. biologist, chief of the U.S. Biological Survey.
  • Merriam first described many genera and species of North American mammals and plants. From 1910 through 1939, he was a research associate of the Smithsonian Institution under the E.H. Harriman trust fund. His studies laid the foundation for the Life Zones concept of biogeographical elevation gradients. He also was interested in the linguistics and mythology of Pacific Coast Indians. He published several books and some 400 scientific papers.
  • Muir met Merriam on the Harriman Alaska Expedition (1899), and they became life-long friends and correspondents.



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