Spencer Fullerton Baird books in order
American naturalist, ornithologist, ichthyologist, museum curator, and the 2nd Secretary of the Smithsonian
- Lived
- 1823–1887
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 10
Spencer Fullerton Baird published 2 non-fiction books and 8 other books, beginning with Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution (1853).
Updated September 2026
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Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution
Spencer Fullerton Baird's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution (1853)
The Birds of North America (1860)
Other books in order
On the Serpents of New-York (1854)
Mammals of North America (1857)
Birds (1858)
Review of American Birds, in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution (1864)
Outlines of American Ornithology (1873)
Annual Record of Science and Industry (1875)
The Water Birds of North America (1884)
About Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird was an American naturalist, ornithologist, ichthyologist, herpetologist, and museum curator. Baird was the first curator to be named at the Smithsonian Institution. He eventually served as assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian from 1850 to 1878, and as Secretary from 1878 until 1887. He was dedicated to expanding the natural history collections of the Smithsonian which he increased from 6,000 specimens in 1850 to over 2 million by the time of his death. He also served as the U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries from 1871 to 1887 and published over 1,000 works during his lifetime.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Spencer Fullerton Baird FAQ
- How many books has Spencer Fullerton Baird written?
- Spencer Fullerton Baird published 2 non-fiction books and 8 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Spencer Fullerton Baird's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.
- What is Spencer Fullerton Baird's last book?
- The Birds of North America (1860).
- What is Spencer Fullerton Baird's most famous book?
- Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution (1853) is Spencer Fullerton Baird's most widely read book.
- Can I read Spencer Fullerton Baird's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Spencer Fullerton Baird is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.