Happy 100th Birthday – Roger Tory Peterson
August 28, 2008
Article in: Birding
A hundred years ago, Roger Tory Peterson was born in Jamestown, New York. We hope that Roger Tory Peterson Month will continue his memory in future years to come.
Roger Tory Peterson Month has been a fun time for us. We reviewed (and tested) the new Peterson Field Guide, read a few books about his life, one by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal and one by Douglas Carlson, and talked about All Things Reconsidered, a book Roger Tory Peterson wrote about his birding adventures.
Peterson in the field
Photo courtesy of Houghton Mifflin
We wish we could have met Roger Tory Peterson personally. Our knowledge of him comes only from books and the memories of others; for which we are thankful.
Here is to the hope that there will be a 100 more years of bird conservation. His mission is also ours as we work to conserve birds everywhere. Happy birthday Roger Tory Peterson!!
Next Generation Bird Conservationist – Dakota
Review: Birdwatcher – The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
August 26, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
Peterson Field Guide – Field Use Review
August 25, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Our review of the new and completely awesome Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America would not be complete without a true field test. The guide spent several hours riding in a backpack, sandwiched between water bottles and power bars. The cover stood up well – with only a minor ding – and protected the glossy pages inside. (more…)
Review of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
August 24, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
To be released on August 28th and published by Houghton Mifflin, Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)
History
Much of what continues to make Peterson Field Guides wonderful is the history. Having been around since 1934 and being produced by one of the world’s best bird artists, Roger Tory Peterson put his heart and soul into his guides. It wasn’t about fame or money. He wholeheartedly felt his work made for better birders and his positive attitude towards improving the state of birds radiates from his guides. (more…)
Review of Roger Tory Peterson – A Biography
August 20, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Without his mentor Ludlow Griscom and the Bronx County Bird Club, we may never have been blessed with the accomplishments of one of the greatest birders of all time, Roger Tory Peterson. There would also be no need for Douglas Carlson’s Roger Tory Peterson: A Biography (Mildred Wyatt-Wold Series in Ornithology)
Peterson’s life story is wonderfully retold and we learn so much more about who this legend really was. Roger Tory came from humble beginnings and his story shows us that we can be absorbed in birds, protect birds, and just plain love birds without necessarily being in a field directly related to birds.
RTP began his birding career through his skill of painting and while many of us (i.e. Birdfreak) have no artistic talent, we can always find ways in whatever field we are in to be leaders in bird conservation. And while Roger Tory had many skills that made him a great leader, much of his accomplishments were due to his dedication.
He spent “three years of intense effort, often under circumstances that would have put off a less passionate and less focused writer” to complete the first Field Guide. During that time, it would have been easier to give up, especially considering that the outlook for getting such a work published was slim.
“Peterson’s version of the publication of the Guide is quite different—and more colorful. After four New York publishers turned the manuscript down, Peterson and [John B.] May took it to [Houghton Mifflin senior editor, Francis] Allen, believing that [William] Vogt had written a letter of support. In fact, Peterson recalled, the letter hadn’t arrived, but Allen liked the idea. To see if [the "Peterson system"] worked, they brought in Ludlow Griscom, who was shown Peterson’s plates from across the room. He identified the birds pictured with 100 percent accuracy, and the deal was sealed.” – Excerpt from Roger Tory Peterson – A Biography
There are a few versions about how Peterson’s first Field Guide came to light, but it was definitely not a sure thing as to how well it would do. Of course as we know, the book sold extremely well.
Carlson’s work recalls Peterson’s life in chronological order including his time spent in New York City, Washington D.C. and Old Lyme, Connecticut where he spent a large chunk of his life until his death on July 18, 1996.
Above all, Roger Tory Peterson’s long list of accomplishments are always in regard to the love of birds, teaching about birds, and promoting their conservation. “As Peterson’s life and work suggest, the root purpose of natural history study should be to create environmentalists.”
Roger Tory Peterson – A Biography
Douglas Carlson
University of Texas Press, October 2007
304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0292716803
Overall Rating: 9 of 10 feathers
Phriday Photo – Roger Tory Peterson’s Birth Town
August 15, 2008
Article in: Photography
On our trip to Rhode Island, we stopped into Jamestown, New York, birthplace of Roger Tory Peterson.
We didn’t have time to visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, but it was nice to tour the town for a bit.
