Elon Howard Eaton
Encyclopedia
Elon Howard Eaton [sometimes "Elon Eton"] ( 8 October 1866 - 27 March 1934) was an American ornithologist, scholar, and author.
He was born in the Town of Collins
near Springville, New York
, the son of Lucien Eaton and Sophie Newton. As a youth, he took a taxidermy
course in Buffalo, New York, where he prepared wildlife he had taken in the field with his shotgun.
Eaton was home-schooled and self taught in rural southern Erie County, although he also attended the Griffith Institute in nearby Springville. He attended the University of Rochester
where he graduated in 1890 with a B.A. Subsequently, Eaton received an M.A (1893), M.Sc. ((1911) and Sc.D. (1927), all from Rochester. After teaching science in local schools, he attended Columbia University
(1899-1900) for additional graduate work, studying paleontology under Henry Fairfield Osborn
.
Eaton established the biology department in Hobart and William Smith Colleges
in 1908, where he taught until his death. He was the New York State ornithologist from 1908 to 1911. Each May he led a group of students an fellow ornithologists on a bird survey of Potter Swamp.
Part of the delay between volume one and volume two of "Birds of New York" was due to his marriage in 1909 to Gertrude Yeames and a heart attack in 1913. The publication of this work elicited many letters to Eaton, including one from the then-young Roger Tory Peterson
. In 1915, Eaton married Ester Woodman. His two marriages produced four children.
Elon Eaton also enjoyed a sporting life. Game taken in the field Eaton prepared himself for dinner parties.
Eaton died in Geneva, New York
of atherosclerosis.
He was born in the Town of Collins
Collins, New York
Collins is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The town is on the south border of the county and is considered to be one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County. The population indicated by the 2000 census was 8,307. The population for 2007 is estimated at 7,092, a loss of 1,215...
near Springville, New York
Springville, New York
Springville is a village in the southeast part of the town of Concord in Erie County, New York, United States. Springville is the principal community in the town and a major business location in south Erie County. The population was 4,252 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara...
, the son of Lucien Eaton and Sophie Newton. As a youth, he took a taxidermy
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...
course in Buffalo, New York, where he prepared wildlife he had taken in the field with his shotgun.
Eaton was home-schooled and self taught in rural southern Erie County, although he also attended the Griffith Institute in nearby Springville. He attended the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
where he graduated in 1890 with a B.A. Subsequently, Eaton received an M.A (1893), M.Sc. ((1911) and Sc.D. (1927), all from Rochester. After teaching science in local schools, he attended Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
(1899-1900) for additional graduate work, studying paleontology under Henry Fairfield Osborn
Henry Fairfield Osborn
Henry Fairfield Osborn, Sr. ForMemRS was an American geologist, paleontologist, and eugenicist.-Early life and career:...
.
Eaton established the biology department in Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, New York, are together a liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. In athletics, however, the two schools compete with separate teams, known as the Hobart Statesmen and the...
in 1908, where he taught until his death. He was the New York State ornithologist from 1908 to 1911. Each May he led a group of students an fellow ornithologists on a bird survey of Potter Swamp.
Part of the delay between volume one and volume two of "Birds of New York" was due to his marriage in 1909 to Gertrude Yeames and a heart attack in 1913. The publication of this work elicited many letters to Eaton, including one from the then-young Roger Tory Peterson
Roger Tory Peterson
Roger Tory Peterson , was an American naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator, and held to be one of the founding inspirations for the 20th century environmental movement.-Background:...
. In 1915, Eaton married Ester Woodman. His two marriages produced four children.
Elon Eaton also enjoyed a sporting life. Game taken in the field Eaton prepared himself for dinner parties.
Eaton died in Geneva, New York
Geneva, New York
Geneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
of atherosclerosis.
Publications
- Birds of Western New York, 1901
- Birds of New York, (v. I: Water Birds, 1910, v. II: Land Birds, 1914), New York State Museum Memoir 12
- Biological Survey of the Finger Lakes