Alexander Wetmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Wetmore
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Wetmore with his wife Beatrice, 1969
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| 6th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution | |
| In office 1945–1952 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Greeley Abbot |
| Succeeded by | Leonard Carmichael |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 18, 1886 North Freedom, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | December 7, 1978 (aged 92) Glen Echo, Maryland, U.S. |
| Education | University of Kansas (BA) George Washington University (MA, PhD) |
| Known for | Ornithology Paleontology |
Frank Alexander Wetmore (born June 18, 1886 – died December 7, 1978) was a famous American scientist who loved birds. He was an ornithologist, which means he studied birds. He was also an avian paleontologist, meaning he studied ancient, fossilized birds. Wetmore became the sixth leader, called Secretary, of the Smithsonian Institution. This is a very famous group of museums and research centers in the United States.
Early Life and Learning
Alexander Wetmore was born in North Freedom, Wisconsin. His father was a doctor. From a very young age, Alexander was fascinated by birds. When he was only eight years old, he wrote his first notes about a pelican he saw on vacation.
By the time he was 14, in 1900, Wetmore had already published his first paper. It was called "My Experience with a Red-headed Woodpecker" and appeared in a magazine called Bird-Lore.
To learn even more, Wetmore went to the University of Kansas in 1905. While studying there, he worked as an assistant in the University Museum. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in 1912. Later, he continued his studies at George Washington University, where he earned his Master of Arts (MA) in 1916 and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 1920.
In 1910, Wetmore started working for the United States government. He joined the Biological Survey, which was part of the Department of Agriculture. In 1915, he researched how lead shot could harm or kill waterfowl (birds that live near water). He also studied fossil birds, like Palaeochenoides mioceanus and Nesotrochis debooyi.
Amazing Discoveries and Leadership
From April 1923 to July 1924, Wetmore led a big scientific trip called the Tanager Expedition. This trip involved five different surveys to study the plants (flora), animals (fauna), and rocks (geology) of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Atoll, and Wake Island.
In 1924, Wetmore joined the Smithsonian Institution. He became the superintendent of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.. A year later, in 1925, he was made assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He then served as the main Secretary from 1945 to 1952.
In 1929, he took part in another expedition called the Pinchot South Sea Expedition. He also wrote an important book called A Systematic Classification for the Birds of the World. This book was first published in 1930 and updated later. His way of classifying birds was very popular for many years.
From 1944 to 1946, Wetmore was the president of The Explorers Club. This club is for people who love to explore and discover new things. Between 1946 and 1966, Wetmore made yearly trips to Panama. He went there to study and collect different kinds of birds. His huge, four-volume book, Birds of the Republic of Panama, was published by the Smithsonian. The last part came out after he had passed away.
Wetmore also helped lead other important groups. He was on the board of trustees for Science Service (now called Society for Science & the Public). He also served on the board of the National Geographic Society. He helped guide their research and exploration efforts for many years until his death.
Things Named After Him
Many things have been named in honor of Alexander Wetmore because of his important work. These include:
- Several types of birds, like the ancient bird Alexornis and two kinds of tanagers: Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron and Buthraupis wetmorei.
- Insects, mammals, amphibians, and even a plant (a type of cactus from Argentina).
- A bridge in Panama.
- The Wetmore Glacier in the cold Antarctic.
- Three types of reptiles: Pholidoscelis wetmorei, Uromacer frenatus wetmorei, and Anolis brevirostris wetmorei.
In 1953, he married Annie Beatrice van der Biest Thielan. After his death in 1978, she helped support the American Ornithologists' Union. His writings and an interview about his life are kept at the Smithsonian Institution.
See Also
In Spanish: Alexander Wetmore para niños
