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William Keith Emerson

1925 – 2016

American malacologist

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About William Keith Emerson

Lived 1925 – 2016 (aged 91). William Keith Emerson was an American zoologist, malacologist, biologist and curator.

William Keith Emerson (May 1, 1925 – October 19, 2016), usually known as Bill Emerson, was an American malacologist, a biologist who studied mollusks. He was a Curator Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where he had been a curator since 1955. He was also Chairman of the Department of Living Invertebrates and head of the Malacology section for several decades.

Books Emerson has written numerous scientific publications and several popular shell books including:

The American Museum of Natural History Guide to Shells: Land, Freshwater, and Marine from Nova Scotia to Florida by William K. Emerson and Morris K. Jacobson, 1976, Alfred A. Knopf Shells by William K. Emerson, Andreas Feininger, Hardcover, Thames and Hudson, (0-500-54008-X) Shells from Cape Cod to Cape May: With Special Reference to the New York City Area by Morris K. Jacobson, William K. Emerson, Softcover, Dover Pubns, (0-486-25419-4) Wonders of Barnacles by William K. Emerson, Arnold Ross, Hardcover, Dodd, Mead, (0-396-06971-1) Wonders of the World of Shells: Sea, Land, and Fresh-Water by Morris K. Jacobson, William K. Emerson, Hardcover, Dodd, Mead, (0-396-06326-8)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
William K. Emerson, Bill Emerson

People in William Keith Emerson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Keith Emerson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Keith Emerson?

American malacologist

When was William Keith Emerson born?

William Keith Emerson was born on 1 May 1925 in San Diego.

When did William Keith Emerson die?

William Keith Emerson died on 19 October 2016 in New York City.

What was William Keith Emerson's occupation?

William Keith Emerson was a zoologist, malacologist, biologist and curator.

What nationality was William Keith Emerson?

William Keith Emerson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Keith Emerson

· Wikidata: Q8013886

· DBpedia: William Keith Emerson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Keith Emerson. https://biography.guide/william-keith-emerson/

MLA: "William Keith Emerson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-keith-emerson/.

Chicago: "William Keith Emerson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-keith-emerson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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