Henry W. Henshaw

Henry Wetherbee Henshaw (1850-1930) was a prominent American figure in the fields of ornithology (bird study) and ethnology (cultural anthropology). Here's a summary of his achievements:

Ornithologist:

• Early Start: Henshaw's passion for birds began early. He had to leave formal education due to health issues but embarked on a collecting trip to Louisiana in 1869, launching his career as a field naturalist.
• Extensive Travels: Throughout his life, Henshaw traveled extensively across the United States, particularly the Southwest, collecting and documenting bird species. He made significant contributions to the understanding of bird distribution and migration patterns.
• Species Discoveries: Henshaw's work likely involved identifying previously unknown bird species, particularly in Arizona.

Ethnologist:

• Shifting Focus: In the later part of his career, Henshaw shifted his focus towards ethnology. He worked at the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology from 1888 to 1892.
• Contributions: While details about his specific contributions to ethnology are unavailable without further research, he likely participated in research projects documenting and understanding Native American cultures.
• Journal Editorship: Henshaw served as the editor of the journal "American Anthropologist" during his time at the Bureau of Ethnology.

Other Achievements:

• National Geographic Society: Henshaw was a co-founder of the National Geographic Society, a testament to his broad interest in exploration and scientific discovery.
• Wildlife Conservation: Henshaw likely played a role in early efforts to conserve wildlife, particularly in Hawaii where he documented bird populations.