Sidney Dillon Ripley | |
---|---|
8th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution | |
In office 1964–1984 | |
Preceded by | Leonard Carmichael |
Succeeded by | Robert McCormick Adams |
Personal details | |
Born | Sidney Dillon Ripley II September 20, 1913 New York City, New York |
Died | March 12, 2001 Washington, D.C. | (aged 87)
Nationality | American |
Education | Yale University (BA) Harvard University (PhD) |
Known for | Ornithology |
Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985)[1] Padma Bhushan (1986)[2] |
Sidney Dillon Ripley II (September 20, 1913 – March 12, 2001) was an American ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He served as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for 20 years, from 1964 to 1984, leading the institution through its period of greatest growth and expansion. For his leadership at the Smithsonian, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1985.[3]