On the Plains, and Among the Peaks, or, How Mrs. Maxwell Made her Natural History Collection
Title:
On the Plains, and Among the Peaks, or, How Mrs. Maxwell Made her Natural History Collection
Description:
Naturalist Martha Maxwell brought Western fauna into public view through her skills at taxidermy. She defined the art of creating natural history dioramas with animals displayed in their natural habitats. Maxwell’s half-sister wrote a biography recounting her contributions as a scientist and documenting her correspondence with Spencer Fullerton Baird, the second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Despite the quality of her work, Martha Maxwell struggled to make a living and died destitute. A few of Maxwell’s original specimens survive and are in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
Creator:
Thompson, Mary Emma Dartt
Publisher:
Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger
Date:
1879
Coverage:
Philadelphia
Display Date:
1879
Hover Text:
Martha Maxwell — naturalist and taxidermist
Published Item:
P
Item Index:
60
Item Sort:
1800s
Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info