Richard Highton

Richard Highton (December 24, 1927 – February 19, 2025) was an American herpetologist, an expert on the biological classification of woodland salamanders.

Background Highton was born in Chicago. His father encouraged his son to have an interest in herpetology. In 1950 he was awarded a bachelor's degree in biology, mathematics and sociology from New York University, with his studies interrupted by military service. He received his master's degree and Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Florida.

In 1950 he married Anne Adams and they had four children together.

Career A field visit to the southern Appalachians mountains in 1948 with Carl Gans was the start of his work on salamanders. On his retirement in 1998, his collection of approximately 140,000 salamander specimens was donated to the Smithsonian Institution.