Mason, John T., 1853-1928.

John T. Mason was an amateur lepidopterist who amassed a large collection of butterflies and moths, ultimately donating it to the young Colorado Museum of Natural History (CMNH) (now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science). Mason also served as the Museum's Secretary from 1902 to 1903, directed operations from 1900 to 1910, and served on the Board of Trustees from 1919 to 1927. Mason was born in 1853 in Lincolnshire, England. As a boy of 12, he began collecting birds, eggs, nests and butterflies. He came to the U.S. in 1872, eventually building a fortune as a department store magnate in Galveston, Texas, but also traveling to Mexico to collect butterflies. In 1892, he retired, and in 1895 he moved to Denver, buying a mansion on Race St. Mason was associated with the CMNH from its earliest days. He attended board meetings beginning in 1898. The Museum was incorporated in 1900, and on April 29, 1901, Mason was "given charge of the work of mounting and grouping specimens, with authority to employ such help as might be needed and to purchase such supplies as were necessary." He also served as Curator, in charge of Museum operations, including building construction, until 1910, when the Museum's first director, Jesse Figgins, was hired. He donated over 20,000 butterflies and moths to the museum in 1918. In 1928, a year after resigning from the board due to failing health, Mason died in Pasadena, California.

From the description of John T. Mason papers 1901-1909. (Denver Museum of Nature & Science). WorldCat record id: 69382677

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