Robert McCracken Peck

Robert McCracken Peck, Curator of Art and Artifacts and Senior Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is a writer, naturalist, and historian who has traveled extensively in North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Mr. Peck is the author of Land of the Eagle: A Natural History of North America (1990), Headhunters and Hummingbirds: An Expedition into Ecuador (1987), A Celebration of Birds: The Life and Art of Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1982), and co-author of All In The Bones: A Biography of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (2008). He has also written for newspapers and a wide range of popular and scholarly publications.

His current projects include: writing a history of the Academy of Natural Sciences (for the Academy's bicentennial), organizing an exhibition on the natural history paintings of Edward Lear for Harvard's Houghton Library, and researching a book on the history of the discovery of the Gorilla (to be co-authored by Janet Browne and Jordan Goodman).

He has served as a guest curator for, and/or consultant to museums and libraries in the U.S and has lectured widely at home and abroad. He has also provided content and commentary for television, radio and film documentaries on topics ranging from the history of science to the history of art.

Mr. Peck has been honored by the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Explorers Club, and other organizations for his contributions to exploration and the interpretation of natural history through his many lectures and publications. In 2007, the U.S. Department of State and the White House chose him to represent the United States at Mongolia’s 800th birthday celebration.

Learn more about Robert McCracken Peck's biography, lectures, publications and media projects (photography, radio and video).

Read articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the discovery of Audubon's missing bird and a profile on Robert McCracken Peck.

For further information please contact:

Robert M. Peck
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parklway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-299-1138