Thornton W. Burgess Talk by Author Christie Palmer Lowrance

“In the realm of wildlife conservation and natural history, there is one name in the United States that must not be forgotten: Thornton W. Burgess,” wrote Dr. Theodore H. Reed, Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park director. From Burgess’ Cape Cod childhood to work as a journalist, then a beloved children’s author and wildlife advocate in Springfield and Hampden, Massachusetts, his career as a respected naturalist and pioneer in environmental education and radio programming for children was ground-breaking. Through thousands of stories that richly depicted the lives and interactions of wildlife, Burgess awakened an interest in Nature in such influential individuals as David Brower, founder of the Sierra Club; Bradford Washburn, renowned explorer and director of the Boston Museum of Science; and Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon director of the Important Bird Area program. As a self-proclaimed “Nature’s ambassador,” Thornton Burgess introduced millions of children to the concept of stewardship of wildlife and nature; in doing so, he laid a foundation for early 20th century conservation values and practices.

The Conant Family who lived in the headquarters of the Falmouth Historical Society were relatives of Burgess’ friend Alice Cook. Cook is the subject of Burgess’ 1955 book Aunt Sally’s Friends in Fur, inspired by her devotion to caring for local wildlife.

$20 Non-Members/$10 Members. Light refreshments served.

BIO

Christie Palmer Lowrance has passionately pursued a lifelong career as a writer/editor, journalist, biographer, and writing instructor. She has written extensively about Cape Cod's historical, artistic, literary, and commercial life, and taught writing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Cape Cod Community College. Ms. Lowrance is the author of Nature’s Ambassador: The Legacy of Thornton W. Burgess published by Schiffer Publishing. Her children’s book The Last Heath Hen, illustrated by artist Mike Berndt, will be released early this summer. A biography, Ships and Shards, on Dr. George F. Bass, known as the father of underwater archaeology, is a work-in-progress.

Ms. Lowrance has a B.A. from William Smith College and an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She taught writing at the University of Massachusetts and Cape Cod Community College.

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