Whitney South Sea Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (1920-1941)

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The Whitney South Sea Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History was an ornithological expedition originated by Dr. Leonard C. Sanford and funded by Harry Payne Whitney. Their mission was to systematically explore the many islands of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia for previously undiscovered or little-known bird specimens. At the time it was the most expansive ornithological expedition ever conceived, and active field research would last over two decades, from 1920 to 1941. During that span, five men acted as leader, assisted by scores of participants. In addition to bird specimens, botanical and anthropological specimens were also gathered. Participants additionally photographed their regions of exploration, drew maps and kept detailed diaries and notes on their voyages.

Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Museum of Natural History. corporateBody
associatedWith Beck, Rollo Howard, 1870- person
associatedWith Correia, José G. person
associatedWith Hamlin, Hannibal. person
associatedWith Mayr, Ernst, 1904-2005. person
associatedWith Murphy, Robert Cushman, 1887-1973. person
associatedWith Petersen, George E. person
associatedWith Quayle, Ernest H. person
associatedWith Sanford, Leonard Cutler, 1868-1950 person
associatedWith Whitney, Harry Payne, 1872-1930. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Republic of Vanuatu 00 VU
Tahiti 00 PF
Polynesia 02 FM
Melanesia 00 PF
Micronesia 00 FM
Solomon Islands 00 SB
Oceania
Subject
Anthropology
Botany
Ornithology
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Establishment 1920

Disestablishment 1941

English

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