In Memory 



This publication is dedicated to the memory and achieve- 

 ments of S. Dillon Ripley, eighth Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



5. Dillon Ripley 



S. Dillon Ripley, 87, the eighth Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution and a well-known biologist, ecologist, and au- 

 thority on the birds of India, died of pneumonia at George 

 Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., on 

 March 12, 2001. Mr. Ripley was appointed Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian in February 1964. Upon his retirement on 

 September 18, 1984, he was named Secretary Emeritus. Fol- 

 lowing his retirement, Mr. Ripley returned full time to the 

 study of ornithology in an office ("birdlab") in the National 

 Museum of Natural History. Under Mr. Ripley's steward- 

 ship, the Smithsonian Institution experienced growth and 



expansion unparalleled in its more than 155-year history. 

 During his tenure, eight new museums, seven new research 

 facilities, and numerous Smithsonian outreach programs 

 were launched. From 1964 to 1984, the number of annual 

 Smithsonian visitors nearly tripled, growing from 10.8 mil- 

 lion to more than 30 million. 



S. Dillon Ripley threw the doors of the Smithsonian 

 wide open and made it clear that all Americans were 

 welcome to enter. With his limitless curiosity and vast 

 intellect, he expanded the scope, reach, and impact of 

 this institution in many important ways. To this day, 

 we are still trying to live up to his legacy. He will be 

 sorely missed, but never forgotten. His influence is all 

 around us. 



— Lawrence M. Small 



