Henry B. Bigelow, Zoology Expert, Dies at Age 88

Henry B. Bigelow '01, professor of Zoology, Emeritus, and the man credited with founding American oceanography, died yesterday at his Concord home.

Bigelow, 88, was associated with the Museum of Comparative Zoology for 62 years.

In the early 1930's, he served as the director of a committee appointed by the National Academy of Sciences to study the role of oceanographic research. His report led to the founding of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Cape Cod.

Bigelow directed the Woods Hole group for its first ten years, and later served as a trustee and senior adviser. Under his specifications, Atlantis, the first American oceanographic vessel, was built.

Oceanographic Studies

In his early years at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Bigelow sailed as a professional assistant on oceanographic studies with the late Alexander Agassiz in the Caribbean and Indian Oceans.

As a zoologist, Bigelow was an authority on fish, and particularly on sharks and rays. He also specialized in the study of coelanterates--invertebrates such as jellyfish.

George W. Mead, curator of fishes, said last night that Bigelow "perpetuated zoology in America. In the intellectual community at Harvard, this was a man who has given more, done more, and knew more."