American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Stout, Gardner D.
birth: April 21, 1903
death: January 16, 1984
Gardner S. Stout was a banker and amateur ornithologist who was a trustee, 1959-1964, and president, 1968-1975, of the American Museum of Natural History. Stout worked as an investment banker until his retirement in 1968, when he took the unpaid post of AMNH president. He also served as secretary (1964-1967), and vice president (1967-1968), and was a field associate in ornithology. Stout was chairman of the executive committee of the National Audubon Society from 1946 to 1959, and was editor of The shorebirds of North America, published in 1967. With his wife, Clare, a malacologist and photographer, Stout made numerous trips to study birds and other wildlife, contributing both specimens and film footage to the museum's collections. (source: AMNH Mss .S76)
Under Stout, three new halls were opened: Hall of Man and Africa, Hall of Mexico and Central America, and Peoples of the Pacific. The Hall of Mollusks was conceived during his administration. The Natural Science Center and the People Center were popular teaching areas inaugurated during his term. The Frick Wing, housing fossil mammals was constructed during his term as well. Stout served as President Emeritus and honorary trustee until his death in 1984