Jan
12

Today in Smithsonian History: January 12, 1945

Alexander Wetmore, ornithologist and sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1944 to 1952. This is a portrait photograph of Wetmore taken on April 10, 1944. (Photographer unknown, via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

Alexander Wetmore, ornithologist and sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1944 to 1952. This is a portrait photograph of Wetmore taken on April 10, 1944. (Photographer unknown, via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

January 12, 1945 F. Alexander Wetmore is elected the sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by the Board of Regents. A noted ornithologist, Wetmore had been associated with the Institution since 1924, when he served for a short time as director of the National Zoological Park. He had also served as Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum. He served as Secretary from 1944 to 1952.

Courtesy Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 12 January 2020
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