George Kruck Cherrie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Kruck Cherrie
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| Born | August 22, 1865 Knoxville, Iowa, U.S.
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| Died | January 20, 1948 (aged 80) Newfane, Vermont, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Iowa State College |
| Occupation | Naturalist, explorer |
George Kruck Cherrie (born August 22, 1865 – died January 20, 1948) was an amazing American naturalist and explorer. He loved studying nature and going on adventures! George collected tons of animal and plant samples on almost forty trips for museums. Because of his hard work, several animals are even named after him!
Early Life and Learning
George Cherrie was born in Knoxville, Iowa. When he was just 12 years old, he started working in sawmills. Later, he went to Iowa State College. After college, he worked for a short time at the college museum. He also worked at Ward's Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, New York, which was a place that prepared natural history specimens.
A Life of Exploration
George Cherrie first worked in an electric bulb factory. But he wasn't happy being a mechanical engineer. He decided to follow his passion for nature instead! He chose to study taxonomy, which is how scientists classify living things, and taxidermy, which is the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting animal skins to make them look alive.
Cherrie then left the United States to explore. He traveled to the West Indies and Central America. From 1889 to 1897, he worked as a bird expert at the Costa Rica National Museum in San José. He also worked at the Field Museum in Chicago.
George collected specimens for famous places like the Rothschild Zoological Museum and the British Museum of Natural History. He was also part of the staff at the Brooklyn Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.
He went on about forty expeditions, mostly to Central and South America. One of his most famous trips was with Theodore Roosevelt. This was the South American Expedition in 1913–1914. On this trip, Cherrie collected many samples for the American Museum of Natural History. In 1915, he explored Bolivia. Later, in 1925, he joined the Simpson-Roosevelts Asiatic Expedition as a zoological collector. He traveled with Theodore Roosevelt's sons, Kermit and Theodore Jr., and Charles Suydam Cutting.
Books and Special Honors
George Cherrie wrote about his amazing adventures in a book called Dark Trails: Adventures of a Naturalist. It was published in 1930.
Many animals are named after him to honor his work! These include a type of lizard called Sphenomorphus cherriei. There are also four kinds of birds, like Cherrie's tanager, and even a type of mammal named after him.
In 1927, the Boy Scouts of America gave George Cherrie a special award. They made him an Honorary Scout. This award was created for American citizens who had done amazing things outdoors. Their adventures were so special that they could inspire young boys. George was one of only nineteen men to receive this honor! Other famous people who got this award included Roy Chapman Andrews, Richard E. Byrd, Charles A. Lindbergh, and Orville Wright.
Later Life
George Cherrie passed away on January 20, 1948, in Newfane, Vermont. He was 80 years old.
See also
In Spanish: George Kruck Cherrie para niños
