Gary Lincoff (1942–2018) was an American mycologist and naturalist. Lincoff taught at the New York Botanical Garden for over 40 years and authored numerous books and field guides on mushrooms.
Gary Lincoff | |
|---|---|
 Lincoff in 2012 identifying a fungus | |
| Died | March 16, 2018 (aged 75) Manhattan, New York |
| Occupation | mycologist, author |
| Education | University of Pittsburgh |
| Notable works | National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms |
| Spouse | Irene Liberman |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | |
| garylincoff | |
Early life and education
editLincoff was born in Pittsburgh in 1942 to Bette Forman and Leonard Lincoff, an optometrist. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, and graduated with a BA degree in philosophy in 1963.[1]
Career
editLincoff began foraging for wild foods, including mushrooms, in the early 1970s.[2] He began teaching at the New York Botanical Garden where he continued to teach for 40 years.[3] In 1978, Lincoff published a book on toxic mushrooms; and was shortly thereafter recruited to write Field Guide to North American Mushrooms for the National Audubon Society.[1] The book sold over 500,000 copies.[4] He held the position of president of the North American Mycological Association for nine years.[1]
In 1981, Lincoff co-founded, with Emanuel Salzman and Andrew Weil, Paul Stamets and others, the Telluride Mushroom Festival.[1] Lincoff wrote scientific papers in peer-reviewed academic journals as well as in popular science publications, and was a regular contributor to FUNGI Magazine. Books that he authored or co-authored include Guide to Mushrooms (Simon and Schuster), The Complete Mushroom Hunter, The Mushroom Book (Eyewitness Guides),[5] Toxic and Hallucinogenic Mushroom Poisoning: A Handbook For Physicians and Mushroom Hunters, [6] among others.[7]
Personal life
editLincoff met Irene Liberman in 1967, whom he married. They had one son, Noah. Gary also had a brother, Bennett.[1]
Awards
editIn 2016, Lincoff received the MSA Award from the Mycological Society of America,[8] and in 2017 received the Gordon and Tina Wasson Prize award from the Mycological Society of America.[9]
Legacy
editThe North American Mycological Association's Gary Lincoff Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology is named for him.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Newman, Andy (23 March 2018). "Gary Lincoff, 75, Dies; Spread the Joy of Mushrooms Far and Wide". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Welles, Patricia. "Stalking The Wild Urban Edible" (PDF). New York Mycological Society (reprint) of New York Times feature (1978). Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Miranda, Kathy (December 2018). "In Memoriam: Gary Lincoff (1942 - 2018)". The Botanical Artist. 24 (4): 14. JSTOR 48502984. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Gary Lincoff, fungi fanatic was pied piper of mushrooms". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Adam, Anthony J. (Spring 1997). "Review: The Mushroom Book by Thomas Laessoe, Anna Del Conte, Gary Lincoff". RQ: The American Library Association. 36 (3): 458–459. JSTOR 20863182. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Bunyard, Britt (19 March 2018). "Gary Lincoff (1942–2018)". New York Mycological Society. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Smith, C. Christopher (14 September 2012). "Gary Lincoff - The Joy of Foraging (Feature Review)". The Englewood Review of Books. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "MSA Award". Gary Lincoff. Letter from the Mycological Society of America. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "Gary Lincoff Awarded Wasson Prize" (PDF). New York Mycological Society Newsletter. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "NAMA Awards". North American Mycology Association. Retrieved 4 September 2022.