Sherman A. Minton

Sherman Anthony Minton Jr. (24 February 1919 – 15 June 1999) was a physician, herpetologist and toxinologist, who conducted the earliest detailed modern studies of amphibians and reptiles in Pakistan. Born in New Albany, Indiana, he was the son of United States Senator and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Sherman Minton.

As a child in the 1930s, Sherman Junior was already collecting reptiles near his home and learning their scientific names. He wanted to study herpetology, but his father insisted on law or medicine, and he chose medicine, enrolling at Indiana University Bloomington and obtaining his B.S. degree in 1939. Sherman then transferred to Indiana University Medical School and received his M.D. in 1942.

He met Madge Alice Shortridge Rutherford (20 March 1920 – 2004) at Bloomington in November 1937, when she introduced herself with the remark "I understand you collect snakes". They became friends but did not marry until October 1943 because of World War Two.

Madge, the daughter of a teacher, was born in Greensburg, near Indianapolis, but grew up in St Paul. She was interested in natural history but even more fascinated by aircraft, she wanted to be a pilot. In 1938 Madge transferred to Butler University, Indianapolis where she embarked on an Advanced Civilian Pilot Training Program which was sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA). Although she was one of the top ten students, she was refused further advancement due to her sex. Her response was to write to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She subsequently received a letter admitting her to the CAA advanced pilot's program. She graduated with a B.A. in 1941.

...
Wikipedia