James Ellsworth De Kay
Encyclopedia
James Ellsworth De Kay (alternatively spelled DeKay or Dekay) (October 12, 1792 – November 21, 1851) was an American
zoologist.
in 1792. When he was two years old, his family moved to New York
; both his parents died while he was still quite young. He attended Yale
from 1807 to 1812, but did not complete a degree. Later, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh
, receiving his M.D.
in 1819.
After his return to the United States, he married Janet Eckford, a daughter of Henry Eckford
, a ship builder. He then traveled with his father-in-law to Turkey
as a ship's physician, and published a book, Sketches of Turkey in 1831 and 1832, about these travels. He was intrusted by Eckford with negotiations with Brazil and other South American powers, relative to the ships of war that had been ordered by the latter.
In 1833 his brother, George Coleman De Kay
, married the only daughter of the poet Joseph Rodman Drake, and De Kay became familiar with Drake, Fitz-Greene Halleck
, William Cullen Bryant
, and other men of literature and science.
De Kay returned to Oyster Bay, New York, giving up medicine for the study of natural history. On the outbreak of cholera in New York City
, De Kay hastened to give his services to the afflicted, although the practice of his profession was repugnant to him. He became involved with the Geological Survey of New York initiated in 1835. As a result, he published the multi-volume Zoology of New York State, or; The New-York Fauna printed by George Endicott over the years 1844–1849. This work was illustrated by the British born American painter John William Hill
. De Kay died at Oyster Bay in 1851.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
zoologist.
Biography
He was born in LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
in 1792. When he was two years old, his family moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; both his parents died while he was still quite young. He attended Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
from 1807 to 1812, but did not complete a degree. Later, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, receiving his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in 1819.
After his return to the United States, he married Janet Eckford, a daughter of Henry Eckford
Henry Eckford (shipbuilder)
Henry Eckford was a Scottish-born shipbuilder, naval architect, industrial engineer, and entrepreneur who worked for the United States Navy and the navy of the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century.-Early life:...
, a ship builder. He then traveled with his father-in-law to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
as a ship's physician, and published a book, Sketches of Turkey in 1831 and 1832, about these travels. He was intrusted by Eckford with negotiations with Brazil and other South American powers, relative to the ships of war that had been ordered by the latter.
In 1833 his brother, George Coleman De Kay
George Coleman De Kay
George Coleman De Kay was a naval officer.-Biography:He was prepared for college, but ran away to sea. He became a skilful navigator, and took vessels built by Henry Eckford to South America...
, married the only daughter of the poet Joseph Rodman Drake, and De Kay became familiar with Drake, Fitz-Greene Halleck
Fitz-Greene Halleck
Fitz-Greene Halleck was an American poet notable for his satires and as one of the Knickerbocker Group. Born and reared in Guilford, Connecticut, he went to New York City at the age of 20, and lived and worked there for nearly four decades. He was sometimes called "the American Byron"...
, William Cullen Bryant
William Cullen Bryant
William Cullen Bryant was an American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post.-Youth and education:...
, and other men of literature and science.
De Kay returned to Oyster Bay, New York, giving up medicine for the study of natural history. On the outbreak of cholera in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, De Kay hastened to give his services to the afflicted, although the practice of his profession was repugnant to him. He became involved with the Geological Survey of New York initiated in 1835. As a result, he published the multi-volume Zoology of New York State, or; The New-York Fauna printed by George Endicott over the years 1844–1849. This work was illustrated by the British born American painter John William Hill
John William Hill
John William Hill or often J.W. Hill was a British born American artist working in watercolor, gouache, lithography, and engraving. Hill's work focussed primarily upon natural subjects including landscapes, still lifes, and ornithological and zoological subjects...
. De Kay died at Oyster Bay in 1851.
External links
- De Kay, James E. Zoology of New York, or the New-York Fauna; comprising detailed descriptions of all the animals... This work was published from 1842-1844 as part of the series Natural History of New-York, which was commissioned in 1836 by the New York State legislature to provide for a geological and natural history survey of New York State. It addressed both recent and fossil mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks and crustaceans. The New York State LibraryNew York State LibraryThe New York State Library is part of the New York State Education Department. The Library and its sister institutions, the New York State Museum and New York State Archives, are housed in the Cultural Education Center...
has digitized the entire five-volume set, including hand-colored plates from part 1 (Mammalia), part 2 (Birds) and part 5 (Mollusca and Crustacea).