IN MEMORIAM: JULIAN R. HARRISON (1934-2009)

IN MEMORIAM: JULIAN R. HARRISON (1934-2009)

Dr. Julian R. Harrison III, husband of Margaret N. Harrison, died peacefully at his home on
May 15, 2009. He was 74. Dr. Harrison was born at Baker Hospital in Charleston, South
Carolina, on 23 August 1934. He was the son of Julian R. Harrison, Jr. and Elizabeth W.
Harris Harrison. As a young child he became fascinated with natural history, and this
interest was fostered by his parents and by two people at the Charleston Museum,
Elizabeth D. Simons and E. Burnham Chamberlain. Simons directed Nature Trailers, an
after-school group for children.

When Julian outgrew Nature Trailers, he was introduced to Chamberlain, Curator of Natural
History, who allowed him to work in the collections area "behind the scenes" and to
participate in field work for the museum. As a teenager, Julian spent many hours in low-
country swamps and forests collecting amphibians, reptiles, turtles, and crocodilians with
boyhood friends such as the late John Quinby.

Julian graduated from the College of Charleston in 1956. He earned a Masters Degree at
Duke University and a doctorate at the University of Notre Dame, conducting research on
the salamanders of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. At Duke, he met his future wife,
also a biologist. In 1963, Julian accepted a faculty position in the Biology Department at
the College of Charleston, where he stayed until retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1994. He
was an outstanding teacher who influenced many students (and other faculty members)
and was well respected by his colleagues.

Julian continued his association with the Charleston Museum and also became active in
groups such as the Charleston Natural History Society (now a chapter of the National
Audubon Society), holding many positions on the CNHS Board, including President. For
over a decade he compiled the Charleston Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. In 1980, he
co-authored a field guide, "Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia." The
University of North Carolina Press will release a revised edition of this guide later this year.
After retiring from the College of Charleston, Julian continued his work as a professional
herpetologist and naturalist. He was widely recognized as an expert on the salamanders of
the southeastern United States. In 2003, he described a new species, Chamberlain's Dwarf
Salamander (Eurycea chamberlaini), which he named in honor of his childhood mentor.
Late in life, he developed a major interest in the freshwater mollusks of South Carolina. He
spent many days as a volunteer, surveying animal populations at places such as Drayton
Hall, Francis Beidler Forest, the Dill Refuge and the McAlhany Nature Preserve. Throughout
his life, he awakened an interest in natural history in many people, and he freely shared
his extensive knowledge of South Carolina and the southern Blue Ridge. To those who
knew him, Julian was considered a true "southern gentleman."

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margaret, son Andy of Charleston, South Carolina,
daughter Susan Hall and her husband Donald of Woodstock, Georgia, and their daughters
Katherine and Margerie Hall, and his sister Caroline H. Soles of St. Augustine, Florida, and
her children, Thrad, Beth and Randy Soles. Contributions may be sent to the Charleston
Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston South Carolina, 29403.

*****

Herpaworld and VenomLand extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Julian R.
Harrison III.