Throughout his life Nabokov made butterfly collecting trips as often as he could, always on the hunt for a novel species to discover. During his time as professor of Russian literature at Cornell (1948-1959), he collected hundreds of specimens from across the United States which he donated to the Cornell University Insect Collection (CUIC) in 1960.

More than an enthusiast, however, Nabokov was also a serious and dedicated scientist. He spent countless hours at the microscope, developing novel techniques for his taxonomic work and drawing detailed scientific illustrations. His ultimate contributions to the field include describing new species and genera, and revolutionizing our understanding of the family of butterflies known as the Blues. Nabokov’s most significant scientific contributions, which were largely dismissed during his lifetime, have been spectacularly confirmed in recent years.

This exhibit is the result of a partnership between Mann Library and the Cornell University Insect Collection (CUIC).

A special thank you to Robert Dirig for his knowledgeable review and additions.