James, Harold

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

HAROLD JAMES was born in Seattle, Washington to a clergyman.

He joined the AMNH Whitney South Sea Expedition in 1931 with his brother John. The Whitney South Sea Expedition was an ornithological expedition originated by Dr. Leonard C. Sanford and funded by Harry Payne Whitney, with the mission of systematically exploring Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia for previously undiscovered or little-known bird specimens. It was the largest ornithological expedition ever conceived. Active field research was conducted from 1920 to 1941.

The brothers collected bird specimens under the supervision of leader William Coultas. They quickly became expert skinners and assumed the responsibility of collecting for the expedition until their departure from the team in 1933

Sources

Letter, Robert Cushman Murphy to Frank M. Chapman. June, 5 1933. 1261.1, 1993. AMNH Central Administration Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History.

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Ornithology.
associated dates: 1931-1933

siblingOf

John James
Brother

participantIn

Whitney South Sea Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (1920-1941)

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