PREFACE 



THE present biography was undertaken by the author 

 with many misgivings. But it was pointed out by those 

 responsible for its publication that most of the persons 

 had passed away who had been intimately associated 

 with its subject and familiar with the development of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, National Museum and United 

 States Fish Commission during the greater part of Pro- 

 fessor Baird's activities; and of the few remaining hardly 

 any one was so situated as to be able to attempt it. 

 Having known him since 1862; having had the benefit 

 of his teaching and example from 1865 to the time of 

 his too early death; having for years been honored by 

 the gracious hospitality of his home; the task has seemed 

 to the writer a duty not to be lightly undertaken nor 

 hastily refused. 



Miss Baird, after the decease of her parents, had 

 thought of preparing and later of collaborating with some- 

 one else in the preparation of a biography. Her father's 

 pupil and successor in charge of the National Museum, 

 Professor George Brown Goode, eagerly seconded her 

 efforts, and, had he lived, would without question have 

 assisted in preparing a worthy memorial. However, Miss 

 Baird's health failed; it became clear to her that she 

 could not hope to complete her self-imposed task. Her 

 latest endeavors were rendered incomplete by the illness 

 which terminated in her death. Professor Goode's work 

 progressed no farther than the collection of numerous 

 and valuable memoranda of a genealogical nature, of 



IX 



