The C. Hart Merriam Award is given annually by the

American Society of Mammalogists The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was founded in 1919. Its primary purpose is to encourage the study of mammals, and professions studying them. There are over 4,500 members of this society, and they are primarily professional scientists ...

for "outstanding research in mammalogy". The Merriam Award was established in 1974. Before 1996 the award was given for "outstanding contributions to mammalogy through research, teaching, and service". The award is named in honor of

C. Hart Merriam Clinton Hart Merriam (December 5, 1855 – March 19, 1942) was an American zoologist, mammalogist, ornithologist, entomologist, ecologist, ethnographer, geographer, naturalist and physician. He was commonly known as the 'father of mammalogy', a ...

(1855–1942). He was not only a founding member of the American Society of Mammalogists and a physician with an M.D. from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

, but also "naturalist, ethnologist, explorer, scholar, lecturer, author, personal friend of Presidents ..."p. 546
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merriam Award Biology awards Awards established in 1974