Background
Bryan, William Alanson was born on December 23, 1875 in near New Sharon, Iowa, United States. Son of William A. and Catherine M. (Pearson) Bryan.
Bryan, William Alanson was born on December 23, 1875 in near New Sharon, Iowa, United States. Son of William A. and Catherine M. (Pearson) Bryan.
After his education, and his zoology studies, he graduated in 1896 from Iowa State College.
Assistant department zoölogy in charge Iowa State College Museum, 1893. On expedition to Big Stone Lake, 1894. Special lecturer on museum methods, University of Minnesota, Indiana University, University of Chicago, Purdue University, Iowa College and Drake University, 1895-1897.
Assistant curator in charge department ornithology, Field Columbian Museum, 1898-1899.
Appointed representative United States Department of Agriculture to investigate fauna of H.I., 1899. Traveled extensively in Europe, and America, studying museum administration, 1900.
Curator, Bishop Museum of Ethnology and Natural History, Honolulu, 1900-1907. Organized, and was made president Pacific Scientific Institution, 1907.
Professor zoölogy and geology, University of Hawaii, 1909-1919.
Scientific expedition, Latin America, 1919-1920. Director Los Angeles Museum History, Science and Art, 1921-1940 (retired). Presented private collection, 10,000 natural history specimens, to New Sharon (Iowa) High School, 1903.
Honorary curator Pacific ornithology, Minnesota Academy Natural Sciences, 1904.
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Member American Orinthologists’ Union, Cooper Ornith. Club, American Fisheries Society, American Museum Association, Southern California Academy Natural Science (president 1925), Hawaiian History Society (vice president).
Member 4th International Ornith.
Married Ruth M. Goss, June 20, 1900. Married second, Elizabeth Jane Letson, March 16, 1909 (died 1919).