Belle Benchley

Belle Jennings Benchley
Born
Belle Jennings

(1882-08-28)August 28, 1882
Larned, Kansas
DiedDecember 17, 1973(1973-12-17) (aged 91)
San Diego, California
NationalityAmerican
Known forDirector of the San Diego Zoo for more than 20 years; directed its growth into a major world zoo; only female zoo director in the world at the time
SpouseWilliam L. Benchley (1881–1966)

Belle Jennings Benchley (August 28, 1882 – December 17, 1973[1]), known as “The Zoo Lady,” was the director of the San Diego Zoo from 1927 to 1953, guiding its expansion from a small collection of animals to an innovative, world-class zoo.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference rabbit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).