Perry O. Simons


Perry Oveitt Simons was an American scientific collector. He predominantly worked in the Neotropics.

Early life and education

Perry O. Simons was born on October 6, 1869 in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. He had at least one brother, Luther B. Simons. In 1886 he left Wisconsin for Riverside, California, where he graduated from Riverside High School in 1893. He spent four years at Stanford University as an electrical engineering major.

Career

His first job in the natural sciences was working for William W. Price as a scientific collector in Mexico from 1896 - 1897. He was joined by his brother, Luther. The mammal specimens collected on this 10-month expedition were purchased by the British Museum. British Museum zoologist Oldfield Thomas was so pleased by the quality of the specimens, he offered Simons a job collecting additional specimens in South America. Luther accompanied Perry for the first two years of the expedition before sailing back to San Francisco.

Death

While crossing the Argentinean Andes around the end of December 1901, Simons was murdered by his guide. The guide struck him in the back of the head before driving a spike through his forehead. His body was found, and it was buried nearby. The motive was said to be robbery, and the guide was captured and imprisoned in Mendoza, Argentina. After Simons's death, Oldfield Thomas called him "the most successful mammal collector that I have ever had to deal with", noting, "we shall not easily find his like again".

Namesake species

Several species were named after Simons:
Reptiles:
Amphibians:
Birds:
Mammals:
Fish:
Another species of reptile in the genus Liolaemus was named L. simonsi after him, though it was found to be a synonym of L. ornatus''.