Childs Frick facts for kids

Childs Frick (born 1883, died 1965) was an American scientist who studied ancient animals. He was a vertebrate paleontologist, which means he focused on fossils of animals with backbones. Childs Frick was a very important supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. He helped create the Frick Laboratory there in 1916.

Frick went on many trips to the American West to find fossils. His work helped scientists understand how camels in North America changed over time. He hired many people to help him. Together, they collected over 200,000 fossil mammals. These amazing fossils were later given to the Museum.

About Childs Frick

Childs Frick was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was Henry Clay Frick, a very successful businessman in the coke and steel industries. His mother was Adelaide Howard Childs. Childs Frick grew up at his family's home in Pittsburgh, called Clayton. Later, in 1905, his family moved to New York City.

Childs loved animals his whole life. He enjoyed playing in the woods and hills behind his childhood home. This area is now a park called Frick Park. He went to Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh. Then, he graduated from Princeton University in 1905.

In 1913, Childs Frick married Frances Shoemaker Dixon (1892–1953). They had four children: Adelaide, Frances, Martha Howard, and Henry Clay II. As a wedding gift, his father bought them a large house in Roslyn Harbor, New York. This land once belonged to the famous poet William Cullen Bryant. Childs and Frances lived at this estate, which they also named "Clayton," for over 50 years.

Childs Frick passed away from a heart attack when he was 81 years old in Roslyn. He is buried with his wife and parents in the Frick family plot. This plot is in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

In 1969, Nassau County bought Childs Frick's estate in Roslyn Harbor. Today, it is known as the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Images for kids

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  Childs Frick playing polo in 1913.