John Campbell Merriam

John Campbell Merriam (1869-1945) wiki

"In 1919 he was chairman of the National Research Council. Later, in 1920, he became dean of the faculties at the University.

"Although considered a candidate for the presidency of the University of California during the period which followed the retirement of Doctor Wheeler, Merriam accepted the presidency of the Carnegie Institution of Washington (the third president in the history of that Institution). It was his belief that, rather than continue his career as paleontologist, he should serve science broadly and more effectively by becoming head of a great research foundation.

"During the next eighteen years he was occupied with the innumerable tasks which face an executive of a large organization. This period of service is perhaps most noteworthy because of a certain centralization of the activities of the Carnegie Institution of Washington...

"However, by no means were all of Merriam's activities confined to the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Doctor Merriam served for a time as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution. He fostered the unique educational features of some of the national parks. He was President of the Executive Committee of the Pan-American Institute of Geography and History from 1935 to 1938...

"On his retirement in 1938, the Carnegie Institution reprinted all his papers and addresses and published likewise an appreciation volume entitled: Cooperation in Research by Staff Members and Research Associates"


 * Cofounder, Save the Redwoods League
 * Member, Galton Society