10 Facts About Herbert Friedmann

Herbert Friedmann worked at the Smithsonian Institution for more than 30 years.

Herbert Friedmann published 17 books and was noted for study of Avian brood parasites.

Herbert Friedmann grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the second of four sons.

Herbert Friedmann joined a bird club during his high school years and kept detailed notes on birds that he observed.

Herbert Friedmann continued to study birds after entering the City College of New York at 16 years old and maintained a close association with the Museum of Natural History.

Dr William Beebe, then Honorary Curator of Birds and Director of the Department of Tropical Research at the zoo, was impressed by the work and encouraged Herbert Friedmann to apply for a scholarship to Cornell University.

Herbert Friedmann got the scholarship and completed his PhD in three years.

In September 1929, Herbert Friedmann was appointed curator of birds at the National Museum of Natural History and continued to serve in that position until he was appointed as head curator of zoology in 1959.

In 1955 Herbert Friedmann was awarded the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal from the National Academy of Sciences for his book, The Honey Guides.

Herbert Friedmann was awarded the Leidy Award by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia that same year.