For the Birds: American Ornithologist Margaret Morse Nice
by Ogilvie, Marilyn Bailey

Format: Hardcover
Release Date: 9/9/2018
Code: 14881
Condition: New
Product Details
The wife of an academic, Nice pursued her own scholarly interests through self-study and by cultivating and creating work partnerships with colleagues. Talented, ambitious, and creative, she did not define herself solely through her role as wife and mother, nor did her family responsibilities deter her from her professional achievements. From her undergraduate study at Mount Holyoke College to her fieldwork in Norman, Oklahoma, her coauthorship of Birds of Oklahoma and subsequent correspondence with George Sutton to her later years in Columbus, Ohio, Nice's career grew in tandem with her personal life - and in some cases, because of it. Although bridled by social constraints, her work spoke for itself: she produced more than 244 papers, articles, and published letters; seven books and book-length monographs; and 3,000 reviews. This voluminous and field-defining output earned her the respect of some of the most important biological scientists of the day, among them Konrad Lorenz and Ernst Mayr, who declared that she had 'almost singlehandedly' initiated 'a new era in American ornithology.'
For the Birds gives Nice her due recognition, lending compelling insight into her activism promoting conservation and preservation, her field methods, and the role of women in the history of science, particularly in ornithology. Nice's life acts as a looking glass into the various challenges faced by fellow female pioneers, their resolve, and their contributions.
Our Opinion: Nice changed the course of American behavioral science and made outstanding accomplishments in conservation, preservation, and the popularization of science. Bridled by social constraints, her accomplishments are little remembered, but this full-length biography discusses her research, her productivity, as well as her social and political views. In addition to delivering a glimpse into early- and mid-twentieth-century scientific life, it discusses the special problems and opportunities facing a woman scientist.
ISBN: 9780806160696
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Year of Publication: 2018
Page Count: 312
Shipping Weight: 2.00 lb