Background
Beecher, William John was born on May 23, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Edward J. and Anna (Lawlor) Beecher.
Beecher, William John was born on May 23, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Edward J. and Anna (Lawlor) Beecher.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Science, University of Chicago, 1947; Master of Science, University of Chicago, 1949; Doctor of Philosophy, University of Chicago, 1954.
Zoology assistant, Chicago Natural History Museum, 1937-1954; senior naturalist, Conservation Department, Cook County Forest Preserve District, 1955-1957; director, Chicago Academy Sciences, 1958-1982; director emeritus, Chicago Academy Sciences, since 1982. Chairman Chicago Conservation Council, since 1964. President Beecher Research Company, manufacturing Beecher Mirage spectacle binocular, since 1983, Beecher Research Foundation.
(Practical advice on welcoming wildlife into your yard.)
Member open lands project Welfare Council Metropolitan Chicago. Member policy committee Chicago committee Illinois Sesequicentennial. Member Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, since 1971, Illinois Endangered Species Commission, since 1973.
Member biology committee Illinois Board Higher Education, since 1970. Environmental aspects committee Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission. Secretary Wetlands Research, 1985– board directors Chicago council Girl Scouts United States of America.
Research associate Bird division Field Museum National History. Member council division Biological Sciences and Pritzker School Medical University Chicago. Honorary life member Lincoln Park Zoological Society, since 1971.
With Army of the United States, 1942-1945, PTO. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, Royal Society Arts, Royal Geography Society, American Ornithological Union. Member Nature Conservancy (vice chairman Illinois chapter, Green Leaf award 1969), Ecological Society of America, Wilson Ornithological Society, Cooper Ornithological Society, Geography Society Chicago (vice president since 1971), American Society Zoologists, Illinois Audubon Society, Chicago Audubon Society (director), Explorers Club, Sigma Xi (award for lifelong contribution to science 1981) Clubs: Garden of America (member conservation committee), Kennicott, Bandar Log, Adventurers.