author
John Bernhard Smith
1858–1912
A pioneering American entomologist, he helped shape the study of insects in the United States through both scientific research and practical public work in New Jersey. His writing brought together taxonomy, agriculture, and everyday concerns about pests in a way that still feels surprisingly modern.
1 Audiobook
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
by John Bernhard Smith
About the author
Born in New York City in 1858, he became one of the leading American entomologists of his era. Reliable sources identify him as a professor of entomology, a specialist in systematics and economic entomology, and later the State Entomologist of New Jersey.
Before his long Rutgers career, he worked as a special agent in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's entomology division and then as Assistant Curator in the Division of Insects at the United States National Museum. In 1889 he moved to Rutgers, where he combined teaching, research, and public service; Rutgers notes that his output included more than 600 publications, ranging from major catalogues of New Jersey insects to practical books for wider readers.
He died in 1912, but his work left a strong mark on both scientific entomology and applied insect control. For listeners interested in natural history, agriculture, or the history of science, his books offer a window into a period when insect study was becoming deeply connected to public life.