Controlled names derived from the AMNH Library catalog.
For use with uncontrolled names found in AMNH documentation.
Fisher resided in New York City for much of his adult life and was employed by the American Museum of Natural History which is located in New York City, New York.
Fisher led the Hayden Planetarium-Grace Peruvian Eclipse Expedition to Peru in 1937.
Fisher acted as scientist on the Paricutin Expedition in 1943-1944 to study Mount Paricutin.
Fisher was born in Sidney Ohio. (2)
Fisher took part in the Harvard-MIT Eclipse Expedition in Siberia.
The AMNH Woodcraft Indian trip traveled from North Dakota to Arizona.
The AMNH Woodcraft Indian trip traveled from North Dakota to Arizona.
Clyde Fisher was born near Sidney, Ohio on May 22, 1878. As a child he developed an appreciation of science and nature; notably learning aspects of astronomy from two uncles. Besides astronomy, a well-rounded field of interest would lead him to study botany, ornithology, paleontology, mammalogy and geology. (8) In the early 20th century, he would begin to correspond with naturalist John Burroughs, who would go on to become a friend and mentor. (9) After attending Miami University, Fisher went on to Johns Hopkins University, where he received his PhD in 1913. At this point he was working at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, but that year he was recruited by AMNH Department of Education Curator George Sherwood and was hired as an Assistant Curator. He became known as a ‘Jack of all trades’ at the Museum and extremely valuable in organizing and developing educational programs. (8) In 1924 the Museum leaders asked him to contribute his skills to the burgeoning Department of Astronomy. In fact, he was at first simply listed as “in charge” of the department in the AMNH Annual Report staff listings, as well as his listing in the Education Department. He traveled to Germany to study the new technology of Zeiss projectors and planetariums (2). Upon his return the Museum continued to build the Astronomy department with plans for a Planetarium space. Eventually funding was received through a federal loan and a contribution by financier Charles Hayden, for whom it would be named. Clyde Fisher was essential to the organization, design, promotion and development of content for the Planetarium. On October 3, 1935, it opened to the public, with Fisher as Curator of the Department of Astronomy and the Hayden Planetarium.
Under Fisher’s leadership, the Hayden Planetarium quickly grew very popular through its educational shows, promotional events, the Junior Astronomy Club and the Sky Magazine. The Department of Astronomy was involved with the World’s Fair in 1939, with Fisher giving a lecture on astronomy. (8) He wrote prodigiously to promote the subject of astronomy, as well as science education in general. Fisher also undertook much field work on behalf of the Museum, both on formal and casual research trips. Among these were the 1927 Woodcraft Indian trip in the western United States, for which he acted as co-leader and during which he was adopted into the North Dakota Sioux tribe and given the name Mato-koki-popi (Afraid of Bear.) (2) He also participated in a trip to Siberia with the Harvard-MIT Eclipse Expedition, as well as organized and led the 1937 AMNH Grace-Peruvian Eclipse Expedition. After his retirement from active work at AMNH in 1941, he continued to participate in expeditionary work with the Paricutin Expedition in 1943-1944. It is notable that neither the 1927 and 1943-44 expeditions were for astronomical research, a testament to Fisher’s vast scope of interest and expertise.
Fisher’s first marriage to Bessie Wiley in 1905 would end in divorce. He had three daughters from that union. In 1933 he married Te Ata. Born Mary Thompson, she was a world renowned Chickasaw princess, storyteller and actress who was largely responsible for promoting and interpreting Native American folklore, and took part in the Paricutin Expedition. After his retirement in 1941 the couple traveled extensively, continuing their work and research. Fisher died in 1949 in New York City.
Fisher was first employed by the American Museum of Natural History in June of 1913 as an assistant curator in the Department of Public Education (1, 1914 p. 44) and retired in 1941, taking the title of Honorary Curator. (1, 1942 p. 39)
Fisher was the first curator of the Hayden Planetarium as well as being critically instrumental in the design and development of the space, publicity and programming. (2)
Fisher was the first curator of what was then known as the Deparment of Astronomy from its inception in 1924, when he was listed as "in charge" (3, 1925)
Expedition to Peru to document the total solar eclipse. Led by Fisher, the expedition had many personnel and executed radio broadcasts. It resulted in a large amount of visual material for the AMNH Astronomy department and the recently opened Hayden Planetarium. Scientifically the expedition was also able to document the globular corona phenomenon. This included paintings, as well as both still and motion photography and film. The expedition was organized into five groups to capture the eclipse at various stages and vantage points. (4)
Fisher acted as a scientist on the second venture of the Parícutin Expedition of 1943-1944, which studied the volcanic activity of Mount Parícutin in Mexico. (5)
Fisher was co-leader with Ernest Thompson Seton on the Woodcraft Indian Trip to the American region between North Dakota and Arizona in 1927. The purpose of the trip was to study and photograph Native American dancing and sign talking. (1, 1928 p.22)
Second wife of Fisher, married in 1933. Born Mary Thompson, Te Ata (1895-1995) was a world-renowned Chickasaw storyteller and actress famed for interpreting and promomoting knowledge of American Indian folklore. Was the first Native American woman to receive a theater degree from the Oklahoma College for Women, and performed both on Broadway and for many international and American dignitaries. (6) She traveled with Fisher on much of his research field trips, including the Paricutin Expedition.
Clyde Fisher's brother, took part in and sponsored the Paricutin Expedition (5)
AMNH Department of Geology and Mineralogy Chairman and Curator, scientist and photographer on Paricutin Expedition (5)
Pilot of Paricutin Expedition (5)
Co-leader with Fisher of Woodcraft Indian Trip in 1927.
Worked with Fisher in the AMNH Department of Astronomy as Associate Curator from 1935 to 1936 (3, 1936-1937) and Executive Curator from 1937 to 1941. (3, 1938-1942) When Fisher retired, he took over as Chairman and Curator. (3, 1943-1945) He took part in the Grace Peruvian Eclipse Expedition (1, 1938 p. 57)
Lockwood worked with Fisher in the AMNH Department of Astronomy from 1935 to 1942, (3, 1936-1943)
Bennett worked with Fisher in the AMNH Department of Astronomy as an Assistant Curator between 1935 and 1939. (3, 1936-1940) She took part in the Grace-Peruvian Eclipse Expedition. (1, 1938 p. 57)
Worked with Fisher as an Assistant Curator in the AMNH Department of Astronomy from 1935 to 1940. (3, 1936-1941)
Stephens was a scientist and artist who, sponsored by the Junior Astronomy Club, accompanied the 1937 Hayden Planetarium-Grace Peruvian Eclipse Expedition, contributing six canvases as well as others to the Department. He died on the expedition's return journey from Peru. (4)
Knight was an extremely well known artist with a strong relationship to the Museum. He executed a painting of the astronomical mythology of North American Indians for the Planetarium when it opened. (1, 1936 p. 7)
Head of the Photographic Department at the Museum, Coles was official photographer for the American Museum of Natural History Grace Peruvian Eclipse Expedition in 1937. (4)
Artist who contributed paintings for the Hayden Planetarium, including a triptych depicting eclipses. (1, 1936 p. 8) His paintings had previously been a highlight of the Museum's first astronomy 'room' in 1924 (1, 1925 32-33.)
Artist who contributed paintings of the Northern Lights for the Hayden Planetarium. (1, 1936 p. 8)
Well-known American botanist, was a friend of and influence on Fisher.
Curator of Education at AMNH at the time Fisher was hired to department.
Fisher accompanied this Expedition. (2)
Fisher studied and worked at the Laboratories in Cold Spring Harbor, NY before AMNH.
Fisher received his A.B. from Miami University in 1905 and his LL.D. in 1926. (7)
Fisher received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins in 1913. (7)
Clyde Fisher's first wife; they divorced. (2)
Clyde Fisher's daughter (2)
Clyde Fisher's daughter (2)
Clyde Fisher's daughter (2)
Clyde Fisher's brother (2)
Clyde Fisher's brother (2)
Clyde Fisher's sister (2)
Clyde Fisher's sister (2)
Creator: George Clyde Fisher, photographer.
Extent: 1 videocassette (22 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 22.
Note: U-matic; Original Format: 16mm film; English subtitles.
Creator: Clark Wissler and Kenneth Chapman, directors; George Clyde Fisher, photographer.
Extent: 1 videocassette (29 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 197.
Note: U-matic; Original Format: 35mm negative.
Creator: Frederick H. Pough, photographer.
Extent: 1 videocassette (43 min.) : si., col. ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 251.
Note: U-matic; Original Format: 16mm film; incomplete.
Creator: George Clyde Fisher, photographer.
Extent:1 videocassette (12 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 278.
Note: U-matic; Original format: 35 mm. negative; incomplete.
Creator: William H. Barton, Jr., and Charles H. Coles, photographers.
Extent: 1 videocassette (13 min.) : si., col. ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 253.
Notes: U-matic; Original format: 16 mm. print.
Creator: William H. Carr and Irving Dutcher, photographers; AMNH and New York City Dept. of Education, producers.
Extent:1 videocassette (28 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in.
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Film Collection no. 271.
Note: U-matic; Original format: 16 mm. print; incomplete.
Creator: George Clyde Fisher.
Extent: 5 linear inches; I box.
Repository: Archives, The New York Botanical Garden. Call Phrase: Fisjer (PP).
Creator: Stephens, D. Owen (Daniel Owen), 1893-1937.
Extent: 1 box (1 linear foot).
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Mss .S747 1937.
Creator: American Museum of Natural History.
Extent: 100 boxes (50 linear feet).
Repository: AMNH Special Collections, DR 192.
Creator: American Museum of Natural History.
Extent: 1 album (108 leaves) : ill. ; 33 cm.
Repository: AMNH Rare Book Collection, PC-1-G.
Note: In box, 38 x 31 x 8 cm.