Howell, Arthur H. (Arthur Holmes), 1872-1940 Search this
Extent:
0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Date:
circa 1905-1940, 1967
Introduction:
This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.
Descriptive Entry:
The papers of Arthur Holmes Howell include a bibliography of his works, correspondence and notes dealing with the determination of life zones in the southeastern United
States, particularly Alabama, and with the birds and mammals of Florida.
Historical Note:
Arthur Holmes Howell (1872-1940) developed an interest in natural history, especially birds, as a boy in New York State. He later joined the Linnaean Society of New
York and the American Ornithologists' Union. Through his membership in these groups, he came to know many of the naturalists of the day, particularly Harry C. Oberholser,
the ornithologist. On the advice of Oberholser, Vernon Bailey of the United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, later the Bureau of Biological
Survey, gave Howell a temporary appointment in 1895 and took him on a western trip as a field assistant.
Following a second temporary appointment in 1896, Howell became a permanent special assistant and was assigned work on the preparation of scientific study skins and the
Bureau's mammal collection. Howell remained with the Biological Survey until his death and held the position of Senior Biologist in the Division of Wildlife Research, Fish
and Wildlife Service, successor agency of the Bureau.
During his career, Howell became one of the leading American ornithologists and mammalogists. He was a charter member of the American Society of Mammalogists, a member
of the Society's Board of Directors, 1935-1940, and Chairman of the editorial committee, 1938-1940. In addition, he was a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union and
a member of the Baird Ornithological Club, the Cooper Ornithological Club, and the Biological Society of Washington. Howell's major publications dealt with the fauna of the
southeastern United States, particularly birds and mammals.
Howell published 118 works. His major works included The Birds of Arkansas, Birds of Alabama, and Florida Bird Life. At the time of his death, he was
also preparing two manuscripts for the North American Fauna Series, A Revision of the Classification of Red Squirrels and The Mammals of Florida.
Birds around New York city, where and when to find them, by Allan D. Cruickshank, with the cooperation of the Department of ornithology of the American museum of natural history, and the Linnaean society of New York, with photographs by the author
