Charles Pickering (naturalist)
Charles Pickering (November 10, 1805 - March 17, 1878) was an American naturalist.Born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, the grandson of Colonel Thomas Pickering, he grew up in Wenham, Massachusetts and received a medical degree from Harvard University in 1823. A practicing physician in Philadelphia, he became active as librarian and curator at the city's Academy of Natural Sciences.
Pickering went with the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 as one of its naturalists, then upon his return was appointed to a post at the Patent Office. This did not last long; in 1843 he traveled to Africa and India to research native races.
He later moved to Boston, where he resumed his medical practice.