Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige
Encyclopedia
Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige (November 24, 1890–October 24, 1976) was an American
herpetologist
, curator of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan
and specialist in neotropical frog
s.
Gaige studied at the University of Michigan with Frank Nelson Blanchard, under professor Alexander Grant Ruthven
. From 1910 until 1923 she was an assistant curator for the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan. In 1923 she became curator of amphibians. In 1928, she co-authored The Herpetology of Michigan with Ruthven. In 1937 she became editor in chief
of the ichthyological and herpetological periodical Copeia
. In 1944 she became curator of herpetology for the Museum. She also assisted in organizing the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
, of which she was named honorary president in 1946. She is further honored by having species
of reptile
named after her, including the Many-lined Skink
, Eumeces multivirgatus gaigeae and the Big Bend Slider, Trachemys gaigeae. The latter which she collected the first specimen of on a trip to the Big Bend region of Texas
in 1928.
She was married to entomologist
Frederick McMahon Gaige
. In honor of the couple, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists presents its annual Gaige Fund Award, a monetary grant to help a graduate student in the field of herpetology.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
herpetologist
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
, curator of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and specialist in neotropical frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s.
Gaige studied at the University of Michigan with Frank Nelson Blanchard, under professor Alexander Grant Ruthven
Alexander Grant Ruthven
Alexander Grant Ruthven was the President of the University of Michigan from 1929 to 1951.-Biography:Alexander Grant Ruthven was born in 1882. In 1906, he received a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Michigan. He worked as a professor, director of the University Museum, and Dean. He became...
. From 1910 until 1923 she was an assistant curator for the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan. In 1923 she became curator of amphibians. In 1928, she co-authored The Herpetology of Michigan with Ruthven. In 1937 she became editor in chief
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
of the ichthyological and herpetological periodical Copeia
Copeia
Copeia is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research in ichthyology and herpetology that was named after Edward Drinker Cope, a prominent American researcher in these fields. It is the official journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists...
. In 1944 she became curator of herpetology for the Museum. She also assisted in organizing the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists is an international organization devoted to the scientific studies of ichthyology and herpetology...
, of which she was named honorary president in 1946. She is further honored by having species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
named after her, including the Many-lined Skink
Many-lined Skink
The Many-lined Skink is a medium-sized member of the Eumeces skinks, a kind of lizard, living in North America.-Taxonomy:...
, Eumeces multivirgatus gaigeae and the Big Bend Slider, Trachemys gaigeae. The latter which she collected the first specimen of on a trip to the Big Bend region of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in 1928.
She was married to entomologist
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
Frederick McMahon Gaige
Frederick McMahon Gaige
Frederick McMahon Gaige was an American entomologist and herpetologist.- Source :...
. In honor of the couple, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists presents its annual Gaige Fund Award, a monetary grant to help a graduate student in the field of herpetology.