Edward Alphonso Goldman
Encyclopedia
Edward Alphonso Goldman was an American zoologist. He worked extensively in Mexico
with Edward William Nelson
and described and revised many groups of mammals.
He was born Edward Alphonso Goltman in Mount Carroll, Illinois, on July 7, 1873, to French-German American parents Jacob H. and Laura C. Goltman. They were originally from Pennsylvania before moving to Illinois, then to Nebraska, where Jacob changed the surname to Goldman, and finally California. There, Jacob, who had an interest in natural history, met naturalist Edward William Nelson
, who was looking for an assistant, around 1891. Young Edward became this assistant, beginning a friendship and professional relationship with Nelson that was to last until the latter's death. Goldman did well on their first joint collecting trip in California, which ended in January 1892, and then set out for Mexico with Nelson for a three-month trip. In fact, they stayed for four years, beginning an acquaintance with Mexico that would take them to almost every corner of the country and result in the collection of over 20,000 mammal specimens. He met Emma May Chase in 1901, and married her the next year, the marriage producing three sons. While in the United States, Goldman performed many other functions, and during World War I he was a major in the U.S. Armed Forces in France working on rodent control. After being released from administrative duties in 1928, he was able to devote all his time to scientific study and he continued even after his 1944 retirement. Goldman collected his last mammal on April 4, 1946—a Florida pocket gopher
. He continued to work on Mexican mammals until a stroke on August 30, 1946; he died on September 2, 1946 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
on September 6.
Goldman published 206 papers during his lifetime and described over 300 new mammals. In 1941, he had described more new mammals than any other living scientist. Many animals were named after him, including various mammals, some birds, a snake, a turtle, a frog, and a mollusk. There is even a Goldman Peak in Baja California
. In 1946, he became the President of the American Society of Mammalogists
.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with Edward William Nelson
Edward William Nelson
Edward William Nelson was an American naturalist and ethnologist. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1871 together with his family, he became homeless due to the Chicago Fire....
and described and revised many groups of mammals.
He was born Edward Alphonso Goltman in Mount Carroll, Illinois, on July 7, 1873, to French-German American parents Jacob H. and Laura C. Goltman. They were originally from Pennsylvania before moving to Illinois, then to Nebraska, where Jacob changed the surname to Goldman, and finally California. There, Jacob, who had an interest in natural history, met naturalist Edward William Nelson
Edward William Nelson
Edward William Nelson was an American naturalist and ethnologist. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1871 together with his family, he became homeless due to the Chicago Fire....
, who was looking for an assistant, around 1891. Young Edward became this assistant, beginning a friendship and professional relationship with Nelson that was to last until the latter's death. Goldman did well on their first joint collecting trip in California, which ended in January 1892, and then set out for Mexico with Nelson for a three-month trip. In fact, they stayed for four years, beginning an acquaintance with Mexico that would take them to almost every corner of the country and result in the collection of over 20,000 mammal specimens. He met Emma May Chase in 1901, and married her the next year, the marriage producing three sons. While in the United States, Goldman performed many other functions, and during World War I he was a major in the U.S. Armed Forces in France working on rodent control. After being released from administrative duties in 1928, he was able to devote all his time to scientific study and he continued even after his 1944 retirement. Goldman collected his last mammal on April 4, 1946—a Florida pocket gopher
Pocket gopher
The pocket gophers are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. These are the "true" gophers, though several ground squirrels of the family Sciuridae are often called gophers as well...
. He continued to work on Mexican mammals until a stroke on August 30, 1946; he died on September 2, 1946 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
on September 6.
Goldman published 206 papers during his lifetime and described over 300 new mammals. In 1941, he had described more new mammals than any other living scientist. Many animals were named after him, including various mammals, some birds, a snake, a turtle, a frog, and a mollusk. There is even a Goldman Peak in Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. In 1946, he became the President of the American Society of Mammalogists
American Society of Mammalogists
The American Society of Mammalogists was founded in 1919. Its primary purpose is to encourage the study of mammals and professions studying mammals. There are over 4,500 members of this society, and they are primarily professional scientists who emphasize the importance of public policy and...
.
Literature cited
- Young, S.P. 1947. Edward Alphonso Goldman: 1873–1946 (subscription required). Journal of Mammalogy 28(2):91–109.