Biography:

Teacher, naturalist.  Born–June 13, 1892, Brownville,  Clay County.  Parents -John James and Catherine Evans. Married William Ratchford Dean, 1939. Education– Attended Jacksonville State University, 1915-16; Valparaiso University, 1916-18;  the University of Alabama, B. S., 1924. Taught in Jefferson County schools for thirty-two years. Founded the Alabama Outdoor Nature Camp for high school biology teachers, 1950; served as director, 1950-63.  Leader of Nature Lore at the American Youth Foundation camp in Michigan fourteen years. Member of the Alabama Academy of Science, Alabama Conservation Council, National Association of Biology Teachers, National Wildlife Federation, American Fern Society, National Audubon Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Recognized for distinguished service in the field of conservation education by the National Audubon Society, 1967. Inducted into Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame, Judson College, 1985.  Died May 31, 1974.

Source:

Christenson, Alice S., and Davenport, Larry J.  “Blanche Dean, Naturalist,” Alabama Heritage, summer 1997, 16-25.

Files at Alabama Public Library Service.

Publication(s):

Birds. Birmingham, Ala.; Southern University Press, 1969.

Ferns of Alabama and Fern Allies. Northport, Ala.; American Southern Publishers, 1964.

Happy Trails. Birmingham, Ala.; Southern University Press, 1972.

Let’s Learn the Birds in Alabama. Birmingham, Ala.; AAA Letter Service, 1958.

Trees and Shrubs of Alabama. Birmingham, Ala.; Coxe Publishing, 1961.

Co-Author:

(with Joab Thomas and Amy Mason). Wildflowers of Alabama and Adjoining States. University, Ala.; University of Alabama Press, 1973.