Fisher, A. K. (Albert Kenrick), 1856-1948

Albert Kenrick Fisher (1856-1948) was born on March 21, 1856 in Ossining, New York. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, graduating with medical training in 1879. He and 21 other people founded the American Ornithologists’ Union and set up studies for migration and distribution. He also founded the Branch of Economic Ornithology in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, in 1885. In 1905 he played a role in the creation of the Bureau of Biological Survey. He was part of many expeditions (including the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition), from which he added many birds to the collection of the United States National Museum. He was also part of the numerous societies and clubs, including the Washington Biologists' Field Club. He died on June 12, 1948.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_490_pid_EACP487

Ornithologist, of Washington, D.C.

From the description of Journal, 1886. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 154270601

From the description of Journal, 1886. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19647050

Botanist, naturalist, and zoologist.

From the description of A.K. Fisher papers, 1827-1957 (bulk 1867-1948). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78135437

Biographical Note

• 1856, Mar. 21: Born, Sing Sing (now Ossining), N.Y.
• 1876: Married Alwilda Merritt
• 1879: M.D., Columbia College, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N.Y. (now part of Columbia University)
• 1883: Founded with others the American Ornithologist' Union, Washington, D.C.
• 1885 - 1905 : Assistant to C. Hart Merriam, performed economic investigations, Department of Agriculture, Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy, Washington, D.C. (later renamed Division of Biological Survey)
• 1891: Member, Death Valley Expedition
• 1892 - 1898 : Biological surveys in various western states
• 1893: Published The Death Valley Expedition. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office
• 1893: Published The Hawks and Owls of the United States in Their Relation to Agriculture. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office
• 1899: Member, Harriman Expedition to Alaska
• 1905 - 1931 : Assistant chief, Bureau of Biological Survey, Division of Economic Investigations, Washington, D.C.
• 1929: Member, Pinchot South Sea Expedition
• 1932: Published Report on Birds Recorded by the Pinchot Expedition of 1929 to the Caribbean and Pacific. Washington, D.C.: n.p.
• 1948, June 12: Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the A. K. Fisher Papers, 1827-1957, (bulk 1867-1948), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)