Sherman C. Bishop

Sherman Chauncey Bishop (November 18, 1887 – May 28, 1951) was an American arachnologist and herpetologist who was a professor of zoology at the University of Rochester from 1928 to 1951.

His Handbook of Salamanders (1943) was the first serious and comprehensive treatment of North American salamanders since Cope (1889).

Early life and education Born on November 18, 1887, in Sloatsburg, New York, Bishop moved to Clyde, New York during his childhood, where he developed an early interest in natural history. Despite conflicts with school authorities that led to his departure from high school, Bishop was encouraged by a mentor, Elmer J. Bond, to pursue higher education.

Personal life In 1917, Bishop married Alice Stoddard, and they had a daughter, Beth Odell.

Bishop is commemorated in the scientific names of two species of salamanders: Ambystoma bishopi and Cryptobranchus bishopi. He was also commemorated in the naming of a rare species of widow spider endemic to Florida: Latrodectus bishopi.

In October 2023, the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York dedicated a preserve in his honor, known as the Sherman C. Bishop Preserve.