Akeley, Carl E.

Akeley, Carl E.

▪ American naturalist and explorer
in full  Carl Ethan Akeley 
born May 19, 1864, Clarendon, N.Y., U.S.
died Nov. 17, 1926, Albert National Park, Belgian Congo

      American naturalist and explorer who developed the taxidermic (taxidermy) method for mounting museum displays to show animals in their natural surroundings. His method of applying skin on a finely molded replica of the body of the animal gave results of unprecedented realism and elevated taxidermy from a craft to an art. His modeling led to sculpture, and he executed notable pieces showing elephants, lions, and lion spearers. Akeley's goal was to create a panorama of Africa and its big game in American museums.

      At age 19 he became an apprentice at Ward's Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, N.Y., and during his associations with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago (1895–1909) and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (1909–26) he made five trips to Africa to study, hunt, and collect big game. In 1923 his book In Brightest Africa appeared. He died during his last expedition and was buried on Mount Mikeno in Albert National Park (now Virunga National Park, Congo [Kinshasa]), the first wildlife sanctuary in central Africa, which he had helped establish. His inventions include the Akeley cement gun, used in mounting animals, and the Akeley camera, a motion-picture camera adapted for use by naturalists, with which Akeley made the first motion pictures of gorillas in their natural habitat.

      Akeley's second wife, Mary Lee Jobe Akeley (1886–1966), was well known as an explorer and naturalist before her marriage (1924). Upon her husband's death she remained in Africa in charge of the expedition. She was named his successor as adviser to the American Museum of Natural History, at which the Akeley African Hall was named in their honour.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Carl Ethan Akeley — Akeley Carl Ethan Akeley (* 19. Mai 1864 in Clarendon, New York; † 18. November 1926 in Belgisch Kongo) war ein US amerikanischer Jäger, Taxidermist, Naturforscher, Professor, Künstler und Erfinder. Akeley erhielt mehr als 30 Patente für seine… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Carl Ethan Akeley — Carl Akeley Carl Ethan Akeley est un naturaliste, un taxidermiste et un inventeur américain, né le 19 mai 1864 à Clarendon (New York) et mort le 18 novembre 1926 au Congo. Biographie Carl Akeley grandit dans une ferme et ne fréquente l’école que… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Carl Akeley — Carl Ethan Akeley est un naturaliste, un taxidermiste et un inventeur américain, né le 19 mai 1864 à Clarendon (New York) et mort le 18 novembre 1926 au Congo. Biographie Carl Akeley grandit dans une ferme et ne fréquente l’école que durant trois …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Akeley — is the name of more than one place:In the United Kingdom:*Akeley, Buckinghamshire * Akeley, Leicestershire a Hundred (country subdivision)In the United States:*Akeley, Minnesota *Akeley Township, MinnesotaAkeley is also a surname; these are… …   Wikipedia

  • Akeley — bezeichnet eine altertümliche Schreibweise der Pflanze Akelei der Name mehrerer Orte: in Großbritannien: Akeley (Buckinghamshire) in den Vereinigten Staaten: Akeley (Minnesota) Akeley (Pennsylvania) sowie der Familienname folgender Personen: Carl …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Carl Akeley — Infobox Scientist name = Carl Akeley box width = image width =150px caption = Carl Akeley birth date = 19 May 1864 birth place = Clarendon, New York death date = 18 November 1926 death place = residence = citizenship = nationality = ethnicity =… …   Wikipedia

  • Akeley — /ayk lee/, n. Carl Ethan, 1864 1926, U.S. naturalist, explorer, and sculptor. * * * …   Universalium

  • akeley — əˈkēlē noun ( s) Etymology: modification of New Latin aquilegia, aquileia : any of several plants of the genus Aquilegia * * * /ayk lee/, n. Carl Ethan, 1864 1926, U.S. naturalist, explorer, and sculptor …   Useful english dictionary

  • Delia Akeley — Delia Julia Akeley (1875 – 1970), commonly known by her nickname, Mickie, was an American explorer. She was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Hanberry) Denning, Irish immigrants. In 1902, Delia married the… …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Jobe Akeley — Born 1886 Tappan, Ohio, United States of America Died 1966 Mystic, Connecticut, United States of America Nationality American Occupation naturalist, writer, cartographe …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”