Prof. Lewis L. Dyche
PROF. LEWIS L. DYCHE, who held the chair of systematic zoology and taxidermy at the University of Kansas from 1900 until his death January 20, 1915, had a wide reputation in North America in his chosen fields. He was born at Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, March 20, 1857, in early life he came to Kansas, and in 1884 received the degrees of B. S. and B. A. from the University of Kansas. During the years 1885-86 he was assistant professor of zoology, and in 1886 he received the degree of A. M. He was then made professor of comparative anatomy, which position he held until 1890, receiving the degree of M. S. in 1888. From 1890 to 1900 he was professor of zoology and curator of birds and mammals, and then was advanced to the chair of systematic zoology and taxidermy. Professor Dyche made more than a score of scientific expeditions, covering North America from Mexico to Alaska, including Greenland and the Arctic regions, and as a result of his work the University of Kansas possesses one of the largest and finest collections of mammals in the world. A collection of these specimens was exhibited at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893 and excited much favorable comment. In 1911 Professor Dyche was appointed state game warden and fish commissioner, the duties of which office he admirably performed in connection with his professorship at the university.
A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, copyright 1918; transcribed October, 1997.