
HerBert Osporn. By 
HERBERT OSBORN. 
Herbert Osborn is one of the youngest of those who have attain 
tinction in the field’ of economic entomology. He was born on a farm in 
Walworth county. Wisconsin, March 19, 1856, and resided there until 1863, 
when, with his parents he removed to Fairfax, Iowa, where he continued to 
reside until he began his college studies. His time was occupied in attend- 
ing the schools of Fairfax, working at the carpenter’s trade and as drug clerk 
until 1870. About this time his father became interested in the nursery 
business and for five years Herbert assisted him. 
His attention was early called to the different species of birds he found 
near his home, many of which he carefully stuffed and mounted, at the 
same time he pursued the study systematically. Here, also, he found many 
insects which he collected and observed, arranging and classifying them. 
The importance and fascination of the iiiter branch became so manifest 
that he soon counted it paramount to the other departments of natural his- 
tory and devoted his attention almost wholly to it; he has, however, kept 
up a lively interest in allied sciences. 
During the winters of 1875-8 he taught in the public schools near Fair- 
fax—the beginning of a very successful career—and, having decided to 
devote his life to professional studies, in 1876 he entered Iowa Agricultural 
College, graduating therefrom in 1879 with the degree of B. Sc. He was 
immediately elected first assistant in zoology and entomology, ard instructor 
in physiology at the coliege, soon aiter becoming full professor of zoology, 
entomology and geology, and curator of the zoological museum. 
In the winter of 1881-2 he took a special course of study at the Museum 
of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., under the learned Dr. H. A. 
Hagen, he having previously studied wile Professors’ Bessey and Beal. 
After completing his past graduate studies he received the degree of M. Sc. 
from his alma mater, about the same time being elected Fellow of A. A. A. 
S., and president of its entomological club for two vears (1884-5). 
The following year he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
at Des Moines, lowa, and while there delivered a course of lectures on 
‘“‘Parasites and Parasitic Diseases.”’ The reorganization of the lowa Acad- 
emy of Science is due to the labors of Prof. Osborn, its first president. 
About three years ago he was elected to membership in the Societe Entomo- 
logique de France, and Entomological Society of Washington. 
Prof. Osborn’s career as an economic entomologist dates from the 
spring of 1878, since when he has been a member of the entomological 
committee of the lowa Horticultural Society, furnishing reports each year. 
These appeared in the society’s transactions, and are able, creditable arti- 
cles, most of them being illustrated by his own pencil. He has furnished 
papers on ‘‘Parasites’’ and injurious insects, for the various state publica- 
tions and agricultural papers, and as special agent of the U. S. Department 
of Agriculture, has published valuable reports and treatises in its Reports, 
one especially valuable, covering, as it does, new ground, entitled ‘‘Pediculi 
and Mallophaga Affecting Domestic Animals.”’ 
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