Henry Philemon Attwater

Henry Attwater, who worked as an agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad, wrote widely about natural history, contributed specimens to the Smithsonian Institution and Witte Museum, and was active in conservation advocacy, pressing for Texas game laws and hunting licenses, and serving on the board of the Audubon Society. Many creatures are named in his honor, including the Attwater’s white-footed rat, wood rat, pocket gopher, swamp rabbit, and prairie chicken.