Thomas Say was an American naturalist and entomologist, born on April 27, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his work in the field of zoology, particularly for his studies of insects and mollusks. Say contributed significantly to the classification of various species and is often referred to as the "father of American entomology." His meticulous observations and descriptions laid the groundwork for future research in these areas. In addition to his work on insects, Thomas Say was a founding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He published several important scientific papers and was involved in the early exploration of the American West, documenting new species and contributing to the understanding of North American biodiversity. Say passed away on June 10, 1834, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of natural history.