Richard Rathbun

Biography

Richard Rathbun devoted his career to the study and stewardship of the natural world, guiding institutions of science with a calm intellect that invited curiosity and exploration. As a naturalist and curator he encouraged colleagues to look deeper into the mysteries of life, always mindful that preservation and discovery go hand in hand.

Those who met him recall how he blended quiet authority with generous mentorship, leaving a circle of colleagues who continued his work long after his passing in 1918.