William Henry Phelps
Encyclopedia
William Henry Phelps was an American
ornithologist and businessman.
to Dudley F. Phelps, and of Louise Lander Prince Phelps, he attended Milton Academy
and Harvard College
. In the summer of 1896 he decided to go on a journey of ornithological exploration to Venezuela
following the advice of Wirt Robinson, who had visited Margarita Island the year before, and from his mentor Frank M. Chapman. He went to the ports of Puerto Cabello
and La Guaira
to finally explore a region near Cumaná
. After a long stay in the states of Sucre
and Monagas
, he became fascinated with the country and its birds. In San Antonio de Maturín
, he met a family of British settlers, the Tuckers, and felt in love with one of the daughters, Alicia Elvira.
He returned to the United States with a small collection of specimens that he brought to Chapman at the American Museum of Natural History
. The specimens he collected became the basis for his first publication published with Chapman in 1897.
William H. Phelps also founded Radio Caracas Radio
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ornithologist and businessman.
Early life
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Dudley F. Phelps, and of Louise Lander Prince Phelps, he attended Milton Academy
Milton Academy
Milton Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory, boarding and day school in Milton, Massachusetts consisting of a grade 9–12 Upper School and a grade K–8 Lower School. Boarding is offered starting in 9th grade...
and Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
. In the summer of 1896 he decided to go on a journey of ornithological exploration to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
following the advice of Wirt Robinson, who had visited Margarita Island the year before, and from his mentor Frank M. Chapman. He went to the ports of Puerto Cabello
Puerto Cabello
Puerto Cabello is a city on the north coast of Venezuela. It is located in Carabobo State about 75 km west of Caracas. As of 2001, the city has a population of around 154,000 people. The city is the home to the largest port in the country and is thus a vital cog in the country's vast oil...
and La Guaira
La Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
to finally explore a region near Cumaná
Cumaná
Cumaná is the capital of Venezuela's Sucre State. It is located 402 km east of Caracas. It was the first settlement founded by Europeans in the mainland America, in 1501 by Franciscan friars, but due to successful attacks by the indigenous people, it had to be refounded several times...
. After a long stay in the states of Sucre
Sucre (state)
Sucre State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Cumaná. Sucre State covers a total surface area of 11,800 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 916,600.-Municipalities and municipal seats:...
and Monagas
Monagas
Monagas State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela.Monagas State covers a total surface area of 28,900 km² and, in June 30, 2010, had an estimated population of 908,626....
, he became fascinated with the country and its birds. In San Antonio de Maturín
Maturín
Maturín is a city in Venezuela, the capital of the Venezuelan state of Monagas and a centre for instrumental exploration and development of the petroleum industry in Venezuela. The metropolitan area of Maturín has a population of 401,384 inhabitants...
, he met a family of British settlers, the Tuckers, and felt in love with one of the daughters, Alicia Elvira.
He returned to the United States with a small collection of specimens that he brought to Chapman at 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...
. The specimens he collected became the basis for his first publication published with Chapman in 1897.
Settling in Venezuela
Once he finished his studies at Harvard, Phelps returned to Venezuela in 1897, to marry Alicia Elvira Tucker and settle in Maturín. There he began one of many successful business ventures by selling coffee. His first two children, John and William Henry Jr., were born during that time. This second son, William H. Phelps, Jr. became one his foremost collaborators in all matters concerning ornithology.William H. Phelps also founded Radio Caracas Radio
Radio Caracas Radio
Radio Caracas Radio is a Venezuelan radio station. It is owned by Empresas 1BC, Venezuela's second largest privately-owned media corporation, which also owns Radio Caracas Televisión, a popular and controversial cable and satellite channel.-Background:...
.
Works
- (With John Todd ZimmerJohn Todd ZimmerJohn Todd Zimmer was a leading American ornithologist.A graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he took an early interest in both entomology and ornithology...
and Ernest Thomas GilliardErnest Thomas GilliardErnest Thomas Gilliard was an American ornithologist and museum curator who led or participated in several ornithological expeditions, especially to South America and New Guinea.Gilliard was born in York, Pennsylvania...
A new race of the honey-creeper, Diglossa cyanea, from Venezuela (New York : American Museum of Natural History 1952) - (With John Todd Zimmer) New subspecies of birds from Surinam and Venezuela (New York : American Museum of Natural History 1951)
- (With William H. Phelps, Jr.) Lista de las aves de Venezuela con su distribución (Caracas: Editorial Grafolit 1950)
- (With John Todd Zimmer) A new name for Basileuterus culicivorus roraimae (New York : American Museum of Natural History 1949)