Dr. Helen Beaumont Ross Russell

Helen Ross Russell

Dr. Helen Beaumont Ross Russell
1915-2014

Environmental biologist, author, illustrator, educator, Helen Ross was born on February 21, 1915 in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of George Smith and Helen Louise (Boyd) Ross. As a young girl, Helen attended her hometown school, Myerstown High and was valedictorian in 1932. One of the first female Ph.D. graduates of Cornell University’s nature study department, she taught at Fitchburg State College and became its first woman dean.

A self-described environmental biologist, her books, “Foraging for Dinner” and “City Critters,” were outsold by her bestselling book, “Ten Minute Field Trips.” With consultancies at the New York Academy of Science and both NYC botanical gardens, she found time to teach at Manhattan Country School and was a true force of nature for decades.

Certified teaching, West Chester State Teachers College, 1934.

Bachelor, Lebanon Valley College, 1943.

Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Lebanon Valley College, 1973.

Master of Arts, Cornell University, 1947.

Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, 1949.

Doctor of Science, Fitchburg State College, 1992.

Teacher, Jackson (Pennsylvania) Township, 1934-1935; teacher 3d grade, Bethel Township Consolidated School, Pennsylvania, 1935-1942; art & science teacher, Lebanon (Pennsylvania) City Schools, 1942-1946; associate professor biology, Fitchburg (Massachusetts) State Teachers College, 1949-1952; chairman science department, Fitchburg (Massachusetts) State Teachers College, 1952-1956; academic dean, Fitchburg (Massachusetts) State Teachers College, 1956-1966; environmental education consultant, Jersey City, since 1968.

Helen Ross Russell has been listed as a notable Environmental consultant, author by Marquis Who’s Who.

Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS section E).

Member: American Nature Study Society; President 1974, Editor, Nature Study 1980-1997, recipient Eva L. Gordon Award for Children’s Science Books 1976), recipient Liberty Hyde Bailey award 1995

 

Her notable books “Foraging for Dinner” and “City Critters,” were outsold by her bestselling book, “Ten Minute Field Trips.”