Charles Paul Alexander (January 15, 1887 – June 2, 1981) was an American entomologist specializing in the study of Diptera, particularly crane flies (family Tipulidae). Over a career spanning more than six decades, Alexander described approximately 12,000 species and subspecies of insects, making him one of the most prolific taxonomists in the history of entomology.
Early life and education
Born in Loveland, Ohio, Alexander showed an early interest in natural history. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University in 1909 and subsequently completed a Ph.D. in entomology at the University of Illinois in 1912, where his dissertation focused on the classification of crane flies.
Academic and professional career
After receiving his doctorate, Alexander joined the faculty of Cornell University as an assistant professor of entomology. He was promoted to full professor in 1922 and remained at Cornell until his retirement in 1957, after which he continued as professor emeritus. Throughout his tenure, Alexander conducted extensive fieldwork across North America, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean, collecting specimens that contributed to major museum collections.
Research contributions
Alexander's principal contributions lie in the taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography of Tipulidae. He authored more than 600 scientific papers and monographs, many of which remain foundational references for dipterists. His systematic revisions clarified the classification of numerous genera and facilitated subsequent ecological and evolutionary studies of crane flies. In addition to crane flies, Alexander published works on other dipteran groups, including the families Tipulidae, Limoniidae, and Pediciidae.
Awards and honors
In recognition of his scientific achievements, Alexander received several honors, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1934) and the Entomological Society of America’s Wilson Award (1955). Numerous insect taxa have been named in his honor, such as the genera Alexanderia and Alexandria (Diptera) and multiple species bearing the epithet alexandri.
Legacy
Alexander's extensive collections are housed primarily at the Cornell University Museum of Entomology, providing a valuable resource for contemporary taxonomic and biodiversity research. His methodological rigor and prolific output set a benchmark for taxonomic scholarship in entomology. The "Charles P. Alexander" award, established by the Entomological Society of America, recognizes outstanding contributions to dipterology.
Selected publications
- Alexander, C. P. (1914). The crane flies of North America. Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Memoir 82.
- Alexander, C. P. (1925). A revision of the North American species of Tipula. Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 51, 305–425.
- Alexander, C. P. (1968). The crane flies (Tipulidae) of the Caribbean region. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 138(3), 123–254.
Personal life
Alexander married Margaret L. Whitaker in 1915; the couple had two children. He maintained an active interest in horticulture and was a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens.
Death
Charles Paul Alexander died on June 2, 1981, in Ithaca, New York, at the age of 94.
