what a wonderful tiny museum

dedicated to the man

who ran all the big museums

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Alexander Grant Ruthven (1882–1971) was a prominent zoologist, herpetologist, and the 7th President of the University of Michigan, serving for 22 years from 1929 until his retirement in 1951.

He earned his Ph.D. in zoology from the university in 1906, specializing in herpetology and became the chairman of the Zoology Department. He founded a new U.S. school of herpetology and described 16 new reptile species. Before becoming president he served as Director of University Museums (Museum of Natural History, and the Museums of Anthropology, Zoology, and Paleontology) and led many research and scientific expeditions. As president, he guided the university through the Great Depression and World War II. Upon retirement, he wanted to be called “Sandy,” live a relaxing life, and moved to northern Michigan. His name is preserved on campus buildings and institutions, and an Ann Arbor city park.

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‘how does one measure the success of a museum?’

– J. Paul Getty

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Tiny Ruthven Museum of Art, Burns Park, Ann Arbor, USA, October, 2026

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Source credits: Ann Arbor News, 1951, Wiki