Blossom Expedition

rdf:langString Blossom Expedition

rdf:langString The Blossom Expedition was a collecting expedition that principally procured ornithological specimens from Africa, South America, and the islands of the South Atlantic Ocean for the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The expedition was initiated by Leonard Sanford, with museum trustee Elizabeth Blossom serving as its eponymous benefactor. The expedition took place from 1923 to 1926, with a scientific crew led by ornithologist George Finlay Simmons. Their ship, the Blossom, was initially captained by Emery Gray, though he left later in the expedition. They ultimately brought thirteen thousand natural history specimens and thousands of photographs to the United States, despite challenges brought about by the physical limits of their ship, personnel changes, and severe weather.