Robert Cushman Murphy
Encyclopedia
Robert Cushman Murphy was an American
ornithologist and former Lamont curator of birds for the American Museum of Natural History
.
Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was an undergraduate at Brown University
, graduating in 1911. He was the author of over 600 scientific articles throughout his scientific career. Two of his more famous works are a Logbook for Grace; Whaling Brig Daisy, 1912-1913 and Oceanic Birds of South America. After his retirement to his home in Old Field, New York
in 1957 he, along with other citizens of Long Island including Archibald Roosevelt
, unsuccessfully sued to stop the spraying of DDT
arguing that it was damaging the wildlife. Before he died, one of the local junior high schools in the Three Village Central School District was named in his honor: Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School.
In 1936 Murphy was awarded the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
from the National Academy of Sciences
. He was elected a Corresponding Member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
in 1939.
Most of his personal papers are archived at the American Philosophical Society
in Philadelphia. Some of his personal papers are located at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ornithologist and former Lamont curator of birds for the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
.
Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was an undergraduate at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, graduating in 1911. He was the author of over 600 scientific articles throughout his scientific career. Two of his more famous works are a Logbook for Grace; Whaling Brig Daisy, 1912-1913 and Oceanic Birds of South America. After his retirement to his home in Old Field, New York
Old Field, New York
Old Field is a village of 918 residents in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The Incorporated Village of Old Field is in the town of Brookhaven, on the North Shore of Long Island. It is one of the most affluent communities in the state and is among the wealthiest towns in the United States...
in 1957 he, along with other citizens of Long Island including Archibald Roosevelt
Archibald Roosevelt
Archibald Bulloch "Archie" Roosevelt , the fifth child of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, was a distinguished U.S. Army officer and commander of U.S. forces in both World War I and II. In both conflicts he was wounded. He earned the Croix de guerre and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,...
, unsuccessfully sued to stop the spraying of DDT
DDT
DDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....
arguing that it was damaging the wildlife. Before he died, one of the local junior high schools in the Three Village Central School District was named in his honor: Robert Cushman Murphy Junior High School.
In 1936 Murphy was awarded the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
The Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for meritorious work in zoology or paleontology published in a three- to five-year period." Named after Daniel Giraud Elliot, it was first awarded in 1917....
from the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
. He was elected a Corresponding Member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union Fellows
The Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union may elect somebody to the position of Fellow, the highest grade of membership, for service to the RAOU and to ornithology. Fellows of the RAOU are entitled to use the letters FRAOU after their name. There is a limit to the number of Fellows that may...
in 1939.
Most of his personal papers are archived at the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
in Philadelphia. Some of his personal papers are located at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
.
Further reading
- Eleanor MathewsEllie MathewsEllie Mathews is an author of fiction and nonfiction works including The Linden Tree...
, Ambassador to the Penguins: A Naturalist's Year Aboard a Yankee Whaleship, Boston: David R. Godine, 2003 ISBN 1-56792-246-5