Woodhouse, S. W. (Samuel Washington), 1821-1904

Samuel Washington Woodhouse (27 June 1821 - 23 October 1904) was born in Philadelphia to a commodore in the American navy. He was educated at classical and military institutions before going into farming with his brother. His interests eventually changed and he decided to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1847. While in school he became fascinated with the natural world; he joined the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP) and became acquainted with many well-known naturalists. He was specifically interested in ornithology and became a skilled taxidermist.

Woodhouse worked for awhile at various hospitals around Pennsylvania and was eventually appointed naturalist and surgeon of the U.S. Topographical Engineers and was asked to join the 1851 expedition led by Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves down the Zuni and Colorado rivers. He was the first naturalist to visit Northern Arizona. Woodhouse collected many specimens, including new species of mice and toads, which were later named after him.

Woodhouse’s next position was surgeon on the Inter-ocean Canal, Railroad and Mining Company Expedition to Nicaragua and Honduras but was unable to collect ornithological specimens.

Woodhouse spent the rest of his career working as a physician for the Washington Grays regiment and the Eastern Penitentiary of Philadelphia. He continued to be actively involved in ornithological associations until his death.

He married Sarah A. Peck in 1872 and had two children, Samuel W. Woodhouse, Jr., M.D., and Matilda Roberts Woodhouse.

Woodhouse died on 23 October 1904 in Philadelphia.

From the guide to the Samuel W. Woodhouse collection, 1844-1932, (The Museum of Northern Arizona)