Bingham Oceanographic Laboratory, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, records

The Bingham Oceanographic Laboratory was formed in 1930 with the gift of the 3,000 item Bingham Oceanographic Collection by Henry Payne Bingham, Yale 1910. This rare and valuable group of oceanographic specimens, collected personally by Bingham, had been at Yale on loan since 1927. With the oceanographic collection came Albert Eide Parr, a young Norwegian who had been working at the New York Aquarium. Parr was Assistant Curator from 1927-1930, Curator of the collection from 1930-1942, and Director of the Peabody Museum from 1938-1942.

Henry Bingham was interested in more than just adding to his collection. He wanted to sponsor scientific research into the life and natural laws of the sea. Thus the laboratory was founded for pure rather than applied contractual research. Scientists were encouraged to explore any aspect of oceanography they considered significant, to pursue oceanographic knowledge for its own sake. Marine biology, biochemistry and physical oceanography were the main areas of concentration. The results of research at the lab were published in the Bulletin of the Bingham Oceanographic Collection and elsewhere. The Journal of Marine Research was founded in 1937. By 1940 the lab"s researches in pure oceanography had given it a high reputation despite its small staff.

In 1942 Parr left Bingham to become director of the American Museum of Natural History. Dr. Daniel Merriman, a biologist, was appointed to replace him. Merriman was Curator of the Bingham Oceanographic Collection from 1942-1947 and Director of the Bingham Oceanographic Laboratory from 1942-1966.

With the onset of World War II, the research emphasis at the lab switched from pure to applied and practical marine research to provide information for increased and rational use of sea materials. Following the war the work of the laboratory returned to its emphasis on pure research in planktology, taxonomy, fisheries biology, productivity, anatomy, distribution, life history, and other areas of ichthyology, and physical and chemical oceanography. In addition to publication of their research the staff of the laboratory offered courses in oceanography and ichthyology at the graduate level and were actively involved in outside activities such as popular lectures, consultation, and conferences.

Funds for the Bingham Lab were small and provided only for the care and enlargement of the collection, salary for a curator, publications, and a small fund towards construction of an oceanography building. To pay for research, the budget was supplemented by outside sources such as the Connecticut State Board of Fisheries and Game, additional funds from Harry Payne Bingham and other private benefactors, Wood"s Hole Oceanographic Institution, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and private corporations. The physical location of the Bingham Laboratory had been in numerous spaces within the Peabody Museum physical plant until 1959 when the Bingham Laboratory for Oceanographic and Ornithological Research was constructed behind the Peabody Museum.

In 1964 an Ad Hoc Committee of several eminent oceanographers decided other oceanographic research institutions in close proximity such as Wood"s Hole provided enough programs for students without having a center at Yale University. This decision along with decreased funding meant the end of the Bingham Oceanographic Laboratory in 1966.