Overview

The Comstocks of Cornell is the autobiography written by naturalist educator Anna Botsford Comstock about her life and her husband's, entomologist John Henry Comstock—both prominent figures in the scientific community and in Cornell University history. A first edition was published in 1953, but it omitted key Cornellians, historical anecdotes, and personal insights. Karen Penders St. Clair's twenty-first century edition returns Mrs. Comstock's voice to her book by rekeying her entire manuscript as she wrote it, and preserving the memories of the personal and professional lives of the Comstocks that she had originally intended to share. The book includes a complete epilogue of the Comstocks' last years and fills in gaps from the 1953 edition. Described as serious legacy work, the book is an essential part of Cornell University history and an important piece of Cornell University Press history.

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9781501740534

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Reviews

Combining biography and autobiography, Mrs. Comstock interweaves in this book the story of her personal and professional life with that of her distinguished scientist husband, John Henry Comstock. She tells of the early experiences with a vividness and clarity that will give the reader the feeling of sharing in them. She tells of the Comstock's mutual interests and ambitions while both were students at Cornell University: the hardships they encountered as struggling young scientists; Dr. Comstock's success as an entomologist, author, and lecturer; and Mrs. Comstock's contributions as an artist and pioneer in the development of nature study. * United States Quarterly Book Review *

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"Anna Botsford Comstock (1854–1930) was an American artist, educator, conservationist, and a leader of the nature study movement. In 1895, she was appointed to the New York State Committee for the Promotion of Agriculture. In this position, she planned and implemented an experimental course of nature study for the public schools. Beginning in 1897, she taught nature study at Cornell University until her retirement as Professor in 1922. Comstock edited the Nature-Study Review from 1917 to 1923 and both wrote and illustrated several books, including Ways of the Six-Footed (1903), How to Keep Bees (1905), The Handbook of Nature Study (1911), The Pet Book (1914), and Trees at Leisure (1916). In 1923, the League of Women Voters chose Anna Botsford Comstock as one of the twelve greatest living American women to have ""contributed most in their respective fields for the betterment of the world."" In 1988, she was inducted into the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Hall of Fame. Karen Penders St. Clair is an independent researcher and holds a position in the School of Integrated Plant Science and Horticulture at Cornell University."

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