Edwin Meader

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edwin Meader (September 21, 1909 – February 1, 2007) was a geography professor at Western Michigan University and philanthropist.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Meader moved to Kalamazoo in 1925.[1] He studied at Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1933.[1] While serving in World War II, Meader visited a University of Michigan excavation area in Egypt, fueling his intererest in geography and archaeology.[1]

After the death of his first wife, Margaret, Meader married Mary Upjohn in 1965.[1] The new couple donated millions of dollars to Western Michigan University, the University of Michigan, and various Kalamazoo charities.[2] One of their largest gifts was the donation of $4 million to Western Michgan University.[3] It resulted in the creation of the W.E. Upjohn Center for the Study of Geographical Change, after her grandfather.[3] It digitizes maps and aerial photographs from all over the world and documents and evaluates geographic changes.[3]

Meader died on February 1, 2007, at the age of 97.[1] He is survived by his wife Mary, who died March 16, 2008.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e "WMU mourns death of benefactor Edwin Meader", WMU News, 2007-02-13. Retrieved on 2008-03-31. 
  2. ^ Martin, Douglas. "Mary Meader, 91, Pioneering Aerial Photographer, Dies", New York Times, 2008-03-22. Retrieved on 2008-03-29. 
  3. ^ a b c d Person, Dave. "Mary Meader lauded as great 20th-century explorer", Kalamazoo Gazette, 2008-3-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-29. 


 This biography of an American academic is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.