IRWIN, HOWARD S.

Howard Samuel Irwin (1928- ), a taxonomist, specializing in the Cassia, began his NYBG career in 1960 as a Research Associate. He was named Associate Curator in 1963. From 1966-1968 he was Curator and Administrator of the Herbarium. He was Head Curator from 1968-1971 and Executive Director from 1971-1972. He was named President in 1973 and served until 1979. Born in Louisville, KY, he received his B.A. from the College of Puget Sound in 1950. He was a Fulbright Scholar in British Guiana, teaching zoology and botany at Queens College. He received his Ph. D. from the University of Texas in 1960. While at NYBG he founded and administered the Planalto do Brazil Program in conjunction with the Universidade do Brasilia. He led eight expeditions to Brazil and the Guianas and administered the NYBG during its most difficult financial period.