Victor Blanchard Scheffer
Encyclopedia
Victor Blanchard Scheffer (November 27 1906 – September 20, 2011) was an American
mammologist and the author of eleven books relating to naturalism. He was born in Manhattan, Kansas
and moved to Washington state at a young age.
in Seattle. In 1937, he began his tenure as a biologist for the United States Bureau of Biological Survey, and remained there for three years. From 1940 to 1956, Scheffer worked for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
.
Department at the University of Washington from 1966 to 1972 and was named chairman of the initial United States Marine Mammal Commission
from 1973-1976. Dr. Scheffer has served on the advisory board of BirdNote
, a radio show about birds, and dedicated to education and conservation, since its creation.
In November 2006 Scheffer celebrated his 100th birthday and, to date, has written eleven books, many of which are highly regarded by zoologists. Scheffer's father Theophilus (also a biologist) lived be nearly 100 years old, dying in 1966 at age 99.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mammologist and the author of eleven books relating to naturalism. He was born in Manhattan, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
and moved to Washington state at a young age.
Early years and education
Scheffer received his bachelor of science in 1930, his master of science in 1932, and his doctorate in zoology in 1936 at the University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in Seattle. In 1937, he began his tenure as a biologist for the United States Bureau of Biological Survey, and remained there for three years. From 1940 to 1956, Scheffer worked for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
.
Later years
Scheffer's first book, Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses, was published in 1959, shortly after he joined the United States Bureau of Fisheries. While at the Bureau of Fisheries, Scheffer became a lecturer for the EcologyEcology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
Department at the University of Washington from 1966 to 1972 and was named chairman of the initial United States Marine Mammal Commission
Marine Mammal Commission
The Marine Mammal Commission is an independent agency of the U.S. government, established under Title II of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.The Marine Mammal Commission provides independent oversight of the marine mammal conservation policies and programs being carried out by other American...
from 1973-1976. Dr. Scheffer has served on the advisory board of BirdNote
BirdNote
BirdNote is a nonprofit radio program dedicated to education and conservation of birds and their habitats. BirdNote shows are two-minute vignettes that incorporate the sounds of birds with stories that illustrate their way of life...
, a radio show about birds, and dedicated to education and conservation, since its creation.
In November 2006 Scheffer celebrated his 100th birthday and, to date, has written eleven books, many of which are highly regarded by zoologists. Scheffer's father Theophilus (also a biologist) lived be nearly 100 years old, dying in 1966 at age 99.