James Lee Peters
Encyclopedia
James Lee Peters was an American
ornithologist.
Peters was Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology
, at Harvard University
. He served as president of the American Ornithologists' Union
in 1942-45, and also served as president of International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
for a period.
Peters is best known for his multi-volume Check-list of Birds of the World (1931-52), widely referred to simply as the Peters' check-list. Compared to earlier check-lists written by Richard Bowdler Sharpe
, the list by Peters made several significant advances, among others using subspecies
(trinomial nomenclature
), which Bowdler's had not. For the first four volumes Peters was awarded the Brewster Medal
. Peters died before finishing the work, and the last volumes, as well as updates to some of the first, were completed by Ernst Mayr
, James Greenway
, Melvin Alvah Traylor, Jr. and others, with the final being volume 16 published in 1987. This check-list has been highly influential in ornithology
, and has – either directly or indirectly – been used as a basis for numerous modern check-lists such as The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World by James Clements
, The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World edited by Edward C. Dickinson, Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World by Charles Sibley
and Burt Monroe
, the AOU Checklist of North American Birds by AOU
, and the check-list to birds of South America by SACC.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ornithologist.
Peters was Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology
Museum of Comparative Zoology
The Museum of Comparative Zoology, full name "The Louis Agassiz Museum of Comparative Zoology", often abbreviated simply to "MCZ", is a zoology museum located on the grounds of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of three museums which collectively comprise the Harvard Museum...
, at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He served as president of the American Ornithologists' Union
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
in 1942-45, and also served as president of International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
for a period.
Peters is best known for his multi-volume Check-list of Birds of the World (1931-52), widely referred to simply as the Peters' check-list. Compared to earlier check-lists written by Richard Bowdler Sharpe
Richard Bowdler Sharpe
Richard Bowdler Sharpe was an English zoologist.-Biography:Sharpe was born in London and studied at Brighton College, The King's School, Peterborough and Loughborough Grammar School. At the age of sixteen he went to work for Smith & Sons in London...
, the list by Peters made several significant advances, among others using subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
(trinomial nomenclature
Trinomial nomenclature
In biology, trinomial nomenclature refers to names for taxa below the rank of species. This is different for animals and plants:* for animals see trinomen. There is only one rank allowed below the rank of species: subspecies....
), which Bowdler's had not. For the first four volumes Peters was awarded the Brewster Medal
Brewster Medal
Brewster Medal is an award from the American Ornithologists' Union. The award is named for William Brewster. From 1921 to 1937 it was given biennially but has been annual since then.- List of winners :* 1919 : Robert Ridgway...
. Peters died before finishing the work, and the last volumes, as well as updates to some of the first, were completed by Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr
Ernst Walter Mayr was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists. He was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer, ornithologist, historian of science, and naturalist...
, James Greenway
James Greenway
James Cowan Greenway was an American ornithologist. An eccentric, shy and sometimes reclusive man, his survey of extinct and vanishing birds provided the base for much subsequent work on bird conservation.-Early years:...
, Melvin Alvah Traylor, Jr. and others, with the final being volume 16 published in 1987. This check-list has been highly influential in ornithology
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
, and has – either directly or indirectly – been used as a basis for numerous modern check-lists such as The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World by James Clements
James Clements
Dr. James Franklin Clements was an ornithologist, author and very successful businessman. He was born in New York....
, The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World edited by Edward C. Dickinson, Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World by Charles Sibley
Charles Sibley
Charles Gald Sibley was an American ornithologist and molecular biologist. He had an immense influence on the scientific classification of birds, and the work that Sibley initiated has substantially altered our understanding of the evolutionary history of modern birds.Sibley's taxonomy has been a...
and Burt Monroe
Burt Monroe
Burt Leavelle Monroe, Jr was an American ornithologist, a member of the American Ornithologists' Union since 1953, as Director of the Commission of classification and nomenclature and president from 1990 to 1992.- His studies :Burt L...
, the AOU Checklist of North American Birds by AOU
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
, and the check-list to birds of South America by SACC.