Boardman Conover

Boardman Conover, born on January eighteenth, nineteen hundred and two in Chicago, was a dedicated ornithologist and zoologist whose passion for natural history blossomed from a young age. The son of Charles Hopkins Conover and Delia Louise Boardman, he pursued his education at The Hill School before furthering his studies at the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University.

In nineteen twenty, Conover embarked on a transformative journey to Venezuela alongside Wilfred Hudson Osgood, where they collected specimens for the Field Museum of Natural History. This expedition ignited his commitment to ornithology, leading him to return to South America in nineteen twenty-two, exploring the avian diversity of Chile and Argentina. His adventurous spirit took him to East Africa in nineteen twenty-six, further enriching his understanding of birds.

Throughout his career, Conover made significant contributions to the Field Museum, where he held various roles, including associate in ornithology and benefactor. His impressive collection of eighteen thousand specimens, primarily game birds, was a testament to his dedication and passion for the field. He also contributed extensively to Carl Eduard Hellmayr's The Catalogue of Birds of the Americas, showcasing his expertise and commitment to ornithological research.

In addition to his work at the Field Museum, Conover was actively involved in the scientific community as a member of the advisory council of the Peabody Museum of Natural History and a trustee of the Chicago Zoological Society. He was also a fellow of the American Ornithologists Union. Boardman Conover passed away in Chicago due to cardiac failure, leaving behind a legacy of passion for ornithology and a wealth of knowledge that continues to inspire future generations.