3 The New York Years (1931–1953)

Emigration to the United States and Life in New York City 101
well as his satisfaction in carrying through major ornithological projects on an
international scale-like a modern manager of large industrial companies. When he
was unable to exchange with other museums specimens of some rare birds from
a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean, he planned and obtained the financial
means for an expedition to these and many other islands conducted by the AMNH,
the Whitney South Sea Expedition (1920–1940). He was happy to see Ernst Mayr’s
stream of publications during the 1930s, when the latter was working on the rich
material brought back to New York. Dr. Sanford more or less concealed under
the mantle of a mere fondness for sport a sense of high purpose and a deep love
of nature. In 1948 Mayr supervised the organization and installation of a large
Museum exhibit, the Leonard C. Sanford Hall of the Biology of Birds, in whose
dedication Dr. Sanford took part. His bronze bust held a central position in the
Hall (which in 2000 has been incorporated into other exhibits). Sanford died on
December 7, 1950.
Ernst Mayr reported: “Soon after I had arrived in New York in January 1931,
Sanford visited me in my office and took great interest in the series of papers
Ipublished.Hewantedtotalkwithmeallthetimeaboutbirdsthemuseumstill
lacked and places that ought to be visited. During the football season he invited
me several times annually to New Haven to watch a game and stay overnight at the
Tennis Club. I am sure it was Sanford who insisted that my contract be renewed
for a second year, and when, during that second year, the Rothschild Collection
was purchased by Sanford (with Whitney money) it was he who insisted that I be
made the curator.
In 1934 I developed a medical problem and on 13th of April my left kidney had
to be removed. Sanford could not have been more solicitous if he had been my own
father.Hecontinuedtoinquireaboutme,andassoonasIwasmobileheinvited
me to his home in New Haven to spend some days there to recover even more,
alsounderthecareofMrs.Sanford,alovelylady.Afterthathesentmetohistrout
fishing camp in the Catskills (Beaver Kill Brook) taking care of all my expenses,
etc. And in 1944 it was he who went to the director finding out how strange it
was that I had never been made a full curator when several younger people with
less distinction had been promoted to that rank. Needless to say, I was likewise
promoted within half an hour.
At the time Sanford died (1950) I had the full intention to stay at the American
Museum for the rest of my life. However, when in 1953 I got the offer to go to
Harvard and the MCZ it would have been most awkward and surely would have
brokenSanford’sheartifIhadgonetotherivalinstitution.Fortunately,thisconflict
did not arise. I will always have him in grateful memory.
It was quite well known in New York circles that Sanford was soliciting anybody
to get money for the bird department of the American Museum. My colleague
Murphy once had a cocktail with Sanford in the University Club when one of
Sanford’s buddies walked by and whispered to Murphy, ‘Don’t give him a cent
more than $10,000.’ Actually, Sanford never wanted anything for himself. His great
ambition was to build up the collection of the American Museum and he was
unbelievably successful in this ambition. Together with its existing treasures and