Edward H. Taylor: Recollections of an Herpetologist -

Edward H. Taylor, A. Byron Leonard, Hobart M. Smith, George R. Pisani

Museum of Natural History The University of Kansas

1975

159 páginas

5h 18m

ISBN-1: 0

PREFACE

The charge to anyone doing a volume like this is complex and
best met by artists, not scientists. Professor E. H. Taylor is now
86 years old and has been busy for all that time. How, short of a
full biography, can we recreate in our minds the sense of and
feeling for this energetic, creative, sometimes irascible man who
has had an extraordinary career as naturalist, explorer, teacher,
friend (especially of children), scientist, spy, consort of royalty
and "father" of modern herpetology? This book senses the man
only fractionally and certainly less than we expect for average
persons. But this is as Professor Taylor wishes it, and his full story
may never be told.

This volume about Professor Taylor has had a mixed ancestry.
In part, it began two or three years ago as a devoted effort to
honor Professor Taylor. The original thought was that some kind
of festschrift would be appropriate, pulling together a number of
separate and independent scientific contributions in a traditional
tribute to this great man. While this idea lurked restlessly in the
backs of our minds, Professor Taylor's own efforts came to our
attention and resulted in the creation of an autobiographical frag-
ment, which has become the heart of the present volume. This
section had its inception in a delightful series of radio programs
presented by KFKU, K.U.'s own radio station, some 43 years ago.
For the most part, these programs dealt with Professor Taylor's
experiences in the Philippine Islands and were directed toward
young people.

Professor Taylor's many friends in the Museum of Natural His-
tory (and elsewhere) have encouraged him in his autobiographical
efforts — and these continue. Professor Taylor has agreed to let us
publish the memoir concerning the Philippines, and we are grateful
to him for the opportunity. Thus, instead of a festschrift, we have
a work about Professor Taylor. Other parts of the volume concern
Professor Taylor's contributions as a teacher, his publications, and
a summary or appreciation of his career as a scientist.

We are indebted to many for making this book possible.
Obviously, without Professor Taylor's own contribution the book
would have been entirely different. Many persons assisted in a
wide variety of ways in the preparation of the various contributions;
in addition to the authors, these include Professor and Mrs. Kraig
Adler, Ms. Marlene Orr, Professor William E. Duellman, Professor
Howard K. Gloyd, Mr. Joseph T. Collins, and Dr. Stephen R.
Edwards. To all of these we are grateful for their devoted tribute
to Ed Taylor.

Philip S. Humphrey
Richard F. Johnston
19 June 1975