- Roger Tory Peterson was born on August 28, 1908 in Jamestown, New York, USA. He is known for Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (1963), To Tell the Truth (1956) and CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (1979). He was married to Virginia Westervelt, Barbara Coulter and Mildred Warner Washington. He died on July 28, 1996 in Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA.
- SpousesVirginia Westervelt(1976 - July 28, 1996) (his death)Barbara Coulter(July 29, 1943 - ?) (divorced, 2 children)Mildred Warner Washington(December 19, 1936 - ?) (divorced)
- In 1943, he was drafted into the Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he was first in the camouflage unit and later the unit assigned to produce technical manuals. Life magazine used his field guide principles for a plane-spotting manual; later the Air Corps used them in their training manual for plane identification. Once, he persuaded a drill sergeant to reroute marching troops so as to avoid a horned lark's nest.
- At 19 he enrolled in the Art Students League in New York City and later studied at the National Academy of Art Design (1929-31). He received a DSc degree from Franklin & Marshall College in 1952.
- His first book, A Field Guide to the Birds, appeared in 1934, demonstrating the prominent field marks that enabled quick identification.
- He became interested in birds and joined a Junior Audubon Club at age 11.
- Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1983 and 1986, and was a finalist for the award the second time.
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