Lovejoy, Parrish Storrs, 1884-1992

P.S. Lovejoy, professor in the School of Natural Resources of University of Michigan, was a significant figure in the history of Michigan conservation. From the Ann Arbor News, dated January 21, 1942, we can read this assessment. "From him came many of the ideas, many of the inspirations, many of the stimulations that have turned and are turning millions of acres of cutover, bankrupt, seemingly worthless lands in the north into game areas, new forest, and recreation places for the people."

Born January 23, 1884 in Princeton, Illinois, Lovejoy attended the University of Michigan from 1903 to 1907 and 1908 to 1909, but left without graduating to pursue a career in forestry. From 1907 to 1912, he held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the U.S. Forest Service, working in a wide variety of national forests: Hell Gate in Montana (1908), later Cheyenne N.F., Crow Creek N.F., Medicine Bow N.F., Olympic N.F (1910-1912). He then returned to the University of Michigan in 1912 when he received appointment as assistant professor of forestry.

Although Michigan was his adopted state, Lovejoy was particularly concerned about the state's land utilization. From 1919 to 1925, he was chairman of the conservation committee of the Michigan Academy of Science that met to discuss the state's wild land situation. Here was proposed a Land Economic Survey that Lovejoy was called upon to organize and staff. In 1925, Lovejoy undertook the establishment of game refuges and game preserves on a sound scientific basis. He then became the state's first chief of the Game Division. In 1930, he became chief advisor of the department on land policy and program, a position he held until his death in 1942.

Lovejoy was also a prolific writer on topics relating to forestry. In 1920, he had left the University to become a staff writer for the Curtis Publishing Company, publishers of The Country Gentleman, and The Saturday Evening Post.

Lovejoy died January 20, 1942.

From the guide to the P.S. Lovejoy Papers, 1918-1941, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)