Sally Hoyt Spofford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sally Hoyt Spofford
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Spofford in 2000
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| Born |
Sarah Elizabeth Foresman
April 11, 1914 |
| Died | October 26, 2002 (aged 88) Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Cornell University |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | A reference book and bibliography of ornithological techniques (1948) |
Sally Hoyt Spofford (born Sarah Elizabeth Foresman) was an amazing American scientist. She studied birds, so she was an ornithologist. Sally was born on April 11, 1914, and lived until October 26, 2002.
She worked for many years at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, a famous place for studying birds. After she retired, she moved to Arizona. There, she helped protect birds and enjoyed watching them. People called her the "doyenne" (which means a respected leader) of birdwatching in southern Arizona.
Sally wrote about 50 articles about how birds act. She also helped write two books about enjoying birds. These books were for people in New York State and New York City. She was a member of the American Ornithologists' Union starting in 1940. This is a group for bird scientists.
Early Life and Education
Sally Hoyt Spofford was born Sarah Elizabeth Foresman. Her hometown was Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She went to Wilson College and earned her first degree in 1935.
Then, she continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her master's degree there in 1936.
Studying Birds at Cornell
In 1948, Sally earned her PhD in ornithology. She got this advanced degree from Cornell University. While at Cornell, she met another bird scientist named John Southgate Hoyt. They fell in love and got married.
Sadly, her husband John passed away in 1951. From 1955 to 1969, Sally worked at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. She held many important jobs there. People often said she was like the main manager of the lab.
In 1964, Sally married another ornithologist. His name was Walter R. Spofford. Walter was an expert on raptors, which are birds like eagles and hawks.
Adventures and Retirement
Sally and Walter went on many research trips together. They traveled to places like Africa and Alaska to study birds. After they both retired from Cornell, they moved to Portal, Arizona.
Their ranch in Arizona became a very popular spot for watching wildlife. Many bird-watching guides mentioned their ranch. Each year, up to 6,000 visitors came to their home to see birds and other animals.
Walter passed away in 1995. Sally died in Tucson in 2002, when she was 88 years old. Sally and Walter are buried in a small cemetery. It is located near a place called Paradise, Arizona.
