Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942

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Vernon Orlando Bailey (1864-1942) was born 21 June 1864 in Manchester, Michigan. He was the sixth of eight children born to Hiram and Emily (Taylor) Bailey. At an early age he and his family moved to Elk River, Minnesota, where he developed an interest in natural history. Around 1885, Bailey began sending collections of birds and mammals to Clinton Hart Merriam, Chief of the newly created Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agriculture (in 1896 the name was changed to the Bureau of Biological Survey). In 1887, Bailey was appointed special field agent for the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy. His title was changed to chief field naturalist in 1890, and he remained with the Biological Survey until his retirement in 1933. Vernon Bailey founded the American Society of Mammalogists in 1933 and was president of both that society and the District Biological Society. He was also a member of the American Ornithologists Union.

Bailey's chief biological interest was the study of the life history and distribution of mammals. During his career with the Biological Survey, he made field investigations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including intensive biological surveys of Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon.

His bibliography numbered 244 titles and included scientific monographs, as well as publications for the general reader. Publications covered mammals, birds, and plants, including animals of Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Carlsbad Cavern. He was also responsible for adding specimens of North American mammals to the U.S. National Museum collection and writing technical descriptions of new species.

In 1899 Vernon Bailey married Florence Merriam (1863-1948), who was an accomplished naturalist and author of several books on ornithology. They had no children. Bailey died at his home in Washington, D.C. on 20 April 1942.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Florence Merriam Bailey papers, 1887-1940 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Maurice Hugh Farrier Papers, 1876-1991 North Carolina State University. Special Collections Research Center
Vernon Orlando Bailey Papers, 1889-1941 and undated Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Harriet Kofalk papers, 1860-1989 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Harry C. Oberholser Papers 1883-1960 (bulk 1920-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942. Vernon Bailey papers, 1926-1931. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Leyendecker Family Papers Leyendecker Family Papers., 1817-1981 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf C. Hart Merriam Papers, Volume 2: Correspondence; Papers Relating to Career With United States Biological Survey, 1798-1972, (bulk 1871-1942) Bancroft Library
referencedIn Alexander G. Ruthven Papers, 1901-1961, 1906-1951 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Kofalk, Harriet, 1937-. Harriet Kofalk papers, 1860-1989. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
creatorOf Vernon Bailey papers, 1828-1958, 1884-1942 Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Kolfalk, Harriet, 1937-. Papers, 1860-1989. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Biological Survey of Texas Records, S 1633. 1., 1889-1939 Southwest Collection/Special Collections Libary, Texas Tech University
creatorOf Bailey, Vernon, 1864-1942. Vernon Bailey papers, 1828-1948 (bulk 1884-1942). Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bailey, Vernon Chaco Research Archive
Relation Name
associatedWith American Ornithologists' Union. corporateBody
associatedWith American Ornithologists’ Union. corporateBody
associatedWith American Society of Mammalogists. corporateBody
spouseOf Bailey, Florence Merriam, 1863-1948. person
associatedWith Biological Survey of Texas corporateBody
associatedWith Farrier, Maurice H. person
associatedWith Kofalk, Harriet, 1937- person
associatedWith Kolfalk, Harriet, 1937- person
associatedWith Leyendecker Family family
associatedWith Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942. person
correspondedWith Oberholser, Harry C. (Harry Church), 1870-1963. person
correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
associatedWith Ruthven, Alexander Grant, 1882- person
associatedWith United States. Bureau of Biological Survey. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Dept. of Agriculture. Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammology. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
District of Columbia DC US
Michigan MI US
Subject
Archaeology
Beaver
Beaver
Beavers
Birds
Birds
Excavations (Archeology)
Life zones
Life zones
Mammals
Mammals
Ornithology
Ornithology
Trapping
Trapping
Zoology
Zoology
Occupation
Biologists
Naturalist
Ornithologists
Activity

Person

Birth 1864-06-21

Death 1942-04-20

Male

Americans

English

Information

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