Harry M. Wegeforth
| Harry M. Wegeforth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Harry Milton Wegefarth January 7, 1882 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | June 25, 1941 (aged 59) San Diego, California |
| Cause of death | Cardiovascular disease |
| Monuments |
|
| Nationality | American |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Known for | Founded the Zoological Society of San Diego and San Diego Zoo |
| Title | President of the Zoological Society of San Diego |
| Term | 1916–41 |
| Successor | Wesley C. Crandall |
| Spouse(s) | Rachel Granger (1913–41; his death) |
| Parent(s) |
|
Harry Milton Wegeforth (born Harry Milton Wegefarth, January 7, 1882 – June 25, 1941) was an American physician who founded the Zoological Society of San Diego and the San Diego Zoo. As a doctor he operated a thriving practice in San Diego, served briefly as president of the City Board of Health and as a surgeon for the San Diego and Arizona Railway, and established a hospital and clinic in the city's downtown district. He is best known, however, for founding the Zoological Society, which grew out of his involvement with the Panama–California Exposition in 1916, and for being the driving force behind the creation and early growth of the Zoo.
As president of the Zoological Society from its inception in 1916 until his death in 1941, Wegeforth planned much of the Zoo's layout and many of its early exhibits. He convinced several wealthy San Diegans to contribute to the Zoo's construction and development, and campaigned for ballot measures to secure its lands and finances. He networked and traded animals with many other zoos across the country, creating the National Association of Zoological Executives which later evolved into the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. After a heart attack in 1931 forced him to abandon his medical practice, he spent his remaining years traveling the world, collecting and trading animals for the Zoo. An amphitheatre at the Zoo and an elementary school and day care facility in San Diego's Serra Mesa community are named in his honor.
Harry Wegefarth was born in Baltimore, one of seven children born to Conrad Wegefarth—a German immigrant and oil prospector for whom Wegefarth County, Texas was named—and his third wife, Mary Elizabeth MacArthur, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Harry had twelve siblings: Brothers Arthur, George, Paul, and Charles; sisters Emma and Ellen; and six older half-brothers from his father's previous marriages. Harry showed an interest in animals from childhood, reading books on their habits and characteristics, playing at circus using toy ones, searching for crabs in Chesapeake Bay, and hunting for snakes in nearby woods and then selling them to neighbors. He became interested in tightrope walking after observing circus performers, and at age twelve began practicing with them at their winter quarters nearby. After his second winter of practice he went out on tour with them as part of their act, but was brought home by his elder brother Charles. Charles drowned while Harry was still a boy, instilling in him an aversion to swimming; Harry never swam, and urged family members against it.
...
Wikipedia