Bailey, Florence Merriam, 1863-1948

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Florence Merriam Bailey (1863-1948) was born in Locust Grove, New York during the Civil War. She devoted her life to the study and protection of birds. From her work in ornithology she authored over ten books, including several field guides to birds, and close to one hundred articles. Though interested in birds as a child, she gained recognition as a naturalist while at Smith College. Disgusted by the use of feathers and whole birds in fashion, she started the Smith College Audubon Society. Her later accomplishments include establishing the Washington, D.C., Audubon Society and becoming the first female associate member of the Ornithologists Union (1885). Within that organization she was the both the first female fellow (1929) and the first female recipient of the Brewster Medal (1931).

In 1908 a kind of California Mountain Chickadee was named Parus gambeli baileyae in her honor. Bailey's relations with prominent scientists augmented her own distinguished career. C. Hart Merriam, her brother, was the first chief of the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey, as well as a co-founder of the National Geographic Society. His work also led to Florence's introduction, and subsequent marriage, to fellow Bureau naturalist, Vernon Bailey. From their travels to the Western United States the Bailey's produced several works on the distinctive, and largely unexplored, flora and fauna in that region. As an amateur ornithologist Florence Bailey was at the forefront of the movement to use binoculars, rather than shotguns, to observe birds. She died in Washington, D.C., on September 22, 1948.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Florence Merriam Bailey papers, 1887-1940 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Women in New Mexico Collection University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Harriet Kofalk papers, 1860-1989 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Kofalk, Harriet, 1937-. Harriet Kofalk papers, 1860-1989. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Fred A. Rosenstock autograph collection L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Vernon Bailey papers, 1828-1958, 1884-1942 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
creatorOf Florence Merriam Bailey Papers, 1865-1942 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company contracts, 1831-1979 (inclusive) 1880-1940 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf C. Hart Merriam Papers, Volume 2: Correspondence; Papers Relating to Career With United States Biological Survey, 1798-1972, (bulk 1871-1942) Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bailey, Florence Merriam, b. 1863. Letter, 1901. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Harry C. Oberholser Papers 1883-1960 (bulk 1920-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Williamson, M. B. (Martha Burton). M. B. Williamson papers, 1887-1927. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942. Vernon Bailey papers, 1828-1948 (bulk 1884-1942). Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company. Houghton Mifflin Company reader reports on manuscripts submitted for publication. 1882-1931. Houghton Library
creatorOf Kolfalk, Harriet, 1937-. Papers, 1860-1989. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bailey, Florence M. Chaco Research Archive
Relation Name
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton O. (Barton Orville), 1860-1933 person
associatedWith Aylesworth, Barton Orville, 1860-1933. person
spouseOf Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942. person
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Kofalk, Harriet, 1937- person
associatedWith Kolfalk, Harriet, 1937- person
associatedWith Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942. person
associatedWith Merriam, Clinton Levi, 1824-1900. person
correspondedWith Oberholser, Harry C. (Harry Church), 1870-1963. person
associatedWith Online Archive of California. corporateBody
associatedWith Rosenstock, Fred A., b. 1895 person
associatedWith Williamson, M. B. (Martha Burton) person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Locust Grove NY US
District of Columbia DC US
Subject
Women authors
Birds
Bird watching
Ornithologists
Ornithology
Wildlife refuges
Women scientists
Occupation
Ornithologists
Activity

Person

Birth 1863-08-08

Death 1948-09-22

Female

Americans

English

Information

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