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 Dr. Walter J.
Breckenridge
Ecologist, Ornithologist, Conservationist, Friend
Painting by Murray Olyphant
Longtime
Chapter member and Professor of Ecology at the University of Minnesota,
Walter was born in 1903 in Brooklyn, Iowa. He attended the University of
Iowa where he majored in zoology and took numerous courses in painting,
drawing, and anatomical molding. He was captain of the gymnastics team
his junior year.
Walter later earned his Masters and Doctorate in ecology at
the University of Minnesota. He began working as a preparator at the
Bell Museum of Natural History in 1926, and served as its Director
for 24 years.
Dr. Breckenridge was a nationally renowned wildlife author and
artist, and helped author and illustrate numerous books on natural
history. Over the years he produced a number of nature films. At his
retirement in 1969, the island behind the Chapter House was donated
to the University of Minnesota in his name, by then Northern States
Power Company.
Some of Breck's artwork appears in "A Naturalist's Eye, and Artist's
Hand" in the March-April 2009 issue of the Minnesota Conservation
Volunteer. For a slideshow of some of his other paintings click here: Breckenridge's
Minnesota
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 Just
Released!
The Perfect Gift
for the naturalist in your family
The following
article, written by MNPost.com journalist Sharon Schmickle, appeared
on Thursday, December 10, 2009.
Book traces life of
Walter J. Breckenridge
by Sharon Schmickle
The life and times of one of
Minnesota's most legendary naturalists is the subject of My Life
in Natural History by Walter J. Breckenridge, just published by
the University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History. The
178-page softbound book also features 44 pages of color plates of his
paintings – many of which became limited edition prints.
Breckenridge also is widely recognized for pioneering the craft of
wildlife filmmaking – done in passionate response to human pressures
facing animals and their ecosystems. His scientific work and
environmental advocacy led to the establishment of parks, wetlands
and wildlife areas including Nerstrand Woods State Park, the
Springbrook Nature Center and the University’s Cedar Creek Natural
History Area.
$29.95 + tax
($32.28, add $5 for
shipping)
Contact
Bell Museum of Natural History - University of Minnesota
10 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-9660
Make checks payable to the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. For credit card
orders, contact the Bell Museum. Overseas orders must be paid in
USA funds using a draft drawn on American banks or by International
Money Order.
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Breck's
100th year birthday celebration at
the Chapter House on March 25, 2003 |
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