Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-06


dermist, in the opinion of his
Smithsonian Institution col
leagues, William l.. Brown has
Just rounded out so years with
the famed museum.
Now nearly So years old, this
blue-eyed, iron gray haired
modest man who came up the
hard way, has no thought Of
retiring.
He is embarking upon prof.
ects that will take him into
the years Immediately ahead.
In tribute to his outstanding
work, top executives of the
Smithsonian recently gave him
a dinner and praised his con-
tribution to its mission OF
spreading knowledge.
Treasures Letter
Mr.. Brown treasures a letter
from DR.. Leonard Carmichael.
Smithsonian secretary. He
wrote:
THE great work that you
have performed in the exhibit
ton of animals and birds in
the Natural History Museum is
an imposing and enduring rec
ord of your creative accom-
plishment. Everywhere that !
go among museum people. /
hear praise of your artistic
and creative contributions to
the art of taxidermy. You have
only to observe the interest and
enjoyment of our visitors to
know what a wide appreciation
your work enjoys"
DIR. Remington kellogg. d.
rector of the National Museum
of the Smithsonian, gave TO
The Star this assessment OF
Mr.. Browns work:
Mr.. Brown is the most able
taxidermist in America today
i do not think he has any
peers in the world. -"
Another Tribute
Assistant Directof Frank A,
Taylor added this tribute 70
| Mr.. Brown:
"Mr. Browns greatest monu-
ment. in his own words. is the
people he has trained-the i'm
parting of his knowledge to
younger men and assisting in
building up their skills. He
learned what he knows by per-
Torrance. :"
Office Tucked Away
The climax Of this work can
be seen in the Hall Of Birds
and the North American Hall
of Mammals. Mr.. Brown even
supplies information so the art
list can develop the background
painting of the particular ami
NAL scene in the diorama-a
large curved view. Into this
task go color photos taken first
hand to guide the artist. movies
and other information.
People do not realize the
trouble we go to-" Mr.. Brown
observed.
Mr.. Browns Office is tucked
away on the ground floor Of
the National Museum. He is a
native Washingtonian and he
was born on July %. 1890. He
lives at Marian Park in Fair
fax County.
His father was a plate printer
at the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing.
And he wanted to follow in
his footsteps, but the job of
skilled laborer-apprentice taxi
dermist--opened UP at the
Smithsonian and he took it. He
said he has never regretted IL,
because he has been very happy
in his work.
Il fed my lunch to the birds
for the first six months" he
recalls smilingly. But later !
got a strong stomach and got
used to the odor."
In the past half century. Mr..
Brown has travelled extensively.
He is far more than the lay
mems view Of one who merely
"stuffs animals" For on his
field trips, he not alone brings
back the skins of the animals
he is seeking, but the actual
soils. trees, plants and rocks
SO these can appear later in
the recreated natural setting.
Buffalo His FavOrite
Here in his laboratory small
models are made in clay Of the
particular animal. From this
working model, the final large
models evolve "a frame OF
wood and wire "the armature"
supports the clay model. When
the clay model is finished. a
plaster mould is made in Sec
tons. From this mould, the
permanent "manikin" is FASH
Toned It's quite a trick to At
the animal skin neatly and
naturally over this man-made
frame The beam in the ami
mails eye is created by mirrors
cleverly concealed In ground
cover or rock.
The American buffalo is Mr..