Brown, Barnum

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: February 12, 1873 - February 5, 1963

Biographical Note

Barnum Brown (born February 12, 1873, Carbondale, Kansas – died February 5, 1963, New York, New York) was a distinguished curator at the American Museum of Natural History in the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology. A famous fossil hunter, known as "Father of the Dinosaurs", he collected numerous specimens on many scientific expeditions for the Museum. In addition to excavating the first discovered remains of Tyrannosaurus rex, Brown collected more than fossils. His contributions to the scientific collections in the Museum include mammals, birds and insects. In 1928, Brown uncovered arrowheads near Folsom, New Mexico, which established human habitiation on the North American continent back to 20,000 years.

Chronology:

1893
: Entered Kansas University
December 12, 1897
: Joined the American Museum of Natural History
1922
: Elected to Life Membership of the American Museum of Natural History
1925
: Placed in charge of Department of Vertebrate Paleontology Exhibition Halls and Preparation Laboratory
1942
: Retired from the American Museum of Natural History

Occupations

Paleontologists

Topics

AMNH People

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Field and Expedition Equipment

Collection

Identifier: Mem 305

Scope and Contents Since 1887, the American Museum of Natural History has been conducting field expeditions in every continent. This is one of the main resources for the Museum’s scientific research and collection development activities throughout all its disciplines. This grouping holds the equipment that were used during expeditions from around 1877 to 1996. Most of these expeditions required direct interaction with the natural habitat of the subject of study, which usually involves being out in the...

Dates: Usage: circa 1877-1990s

Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / Field and Expedition Equipment

William King Gregory papers, 1889-1948 (bulk 1906-1948)

Collection

Identifier: Mss .G7441

Scope and Contents The collection consists of administrative, scientific, academic and personal papers, and correspondence. Papers include Gregory's general correspondence with universities, colleges and scientists about his research topics and publications; correspondence with museums about purchasing replicas of fossils; and with students seeking employement. Other papers include lecture notes prepared for zoology classes emphasizing evolution, 1925-1926 and 1939; and manuscripts and notes for his...

Dates: 1889-1948; Majority of material found within 1906-1948

Found in: Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library / William King Gregory papers, 1889-1948 (bulk 1906-1948)

Series 1: Field diaries, 1891-1998

Series

Identifier: VPA 101

Scope and Contents

Consist of diaries, lists of specimens found, locations of finds, records of day to day activities, and step by step findings. Individual lists can be found with both the Charles H. Falkenbach and Ted Galusha Papers. The diaries are arranged by date and filed as nearly as possible in chronological order. Notable names in the field diaries include H. F. Osborn, Walter Granger, Barnum Brown, and G. G. Simpson.

Dates: 1891-1998

Found in: Vertebrate Paleontology Archives / VPA 101, Department of Vertebrate Paleontology field work collection