Rockwell, Robert B. (Robert Blanchard), 1883-1941

Robert Blanchard Rockwell was an investment banker, ornithologist and Colorado Museum of Natural History (CMNH) trustee who served the museum from its first decade. Rockwell was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1883, the son of Fred Rockwell, one of Colorado's pioneering cattle ranchers. As a child, he visited Denver with his parents, eventually moved to Denver and attended North High School and the University of Colorado. In 1915, established in Denver as an "investment man," he formed his own company, Rockwell Investment, and remained active in business until the last year of his life. His passion, however, was for ornithology. As a young man, he quickly gained a reputation for his collecting acumen. Officials at the new CMNH, now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, recruited him as a volunteer in 1906 to unpack, mark and systematize the Edwin Carter collection of birds eggs. This began Rockwell's lifelong affiliation with the Museum, where his own extensive collections were later exhibited. He authored a book with Robert Niedrach, published by the Museum in 1939 titled Birds of Denver and the Mountain Parks. He also had articles published in Nature, Auk, Oologist and Condor. In addition, he was known for his skilled photography of birds. Rockwell died in Denver in 1941.

From the description of Robert B. Rockwell papers 1895-1940. (Denver Museum of Nature & Science). WorldCat record id: 69957583

Robert Blanchard Rockwell was an investment banker, ornithologist and Colorado Museum of Natural History (CMNH) trustee who served the museum from its first decade.

Rockwell was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1883, the son of Fred Rockwell, one of Colorado's pioneering cattle ranchers. As a child, he visited Denver with his parents, eventually moved to Denver and attended North High School and the University of Colorado. In 1915, established in Denver as an "investment man," he formed his own company, Rockwell Investment, and remained active in business until the last year of his life.

His passion, however, was for ornithology. As a young man, he quickly gained a reputation for his collecting acumen. Officials at the new CMNH, now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, recruited him as a volunteer in 1906 to unpack, mark and systematize the Edwin Carter collection of birds' eggs. This began Rockwell's lifelong affiliation with the Museum, where his own extensive collections were later exhibited. He authored a book with Robert Niedrach, published by the Museum in 1939 titled Birds of Denver and the Mountain Parks . He also had articles published in Nature, Auk, Oologist and Condor . In addition, he was known for his skilled photography of birds.

Rockwell died in Denver in 1941.

From the guide to the Robert B. Rockwell Papers, 1895-1940, (Denver Museum of Nature & Science, )