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I. Michael Heyman | American Scholar, University Chancellor & Conservationist | Britannica
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Michael Heyman</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">American scholar</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="264703"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <a class="js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" href="/print/article/264703" target="_blank" > <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="print"></em> Print </a> </div> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=264703] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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Michael Heyman, who Led UC Berkeley and Smithsonian Institution, Dies at 81</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Ira Michael Heyman</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-15T00:00:00CST" >Nov 15, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/I-Michael-Heyman/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>In full: </dt> <dd>Ira Michael Heyman</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Born: </dt> <dd>May 30, 1930, <a href="/place/New-York-City">New York</a>, <a href="/place/New-York-state">New York</a>, U.S.</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Died: </dt> <dd>November 19, 2011, <a href="/place/Berkeley-California">Berkeley</a>, <a href="/place/California-state">California</a> (aged 81)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>Ira Michael Heyman</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/I-Michael-Heyman"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><!--[BEFORE-ARTICLE]--><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><!--[PREMOD1]--><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref1056287"></span>I. Michael Heyman</strong> (born May 30, 1930, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New York</a>, New York, U.S.—died November 19, 2011, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Berkeley-California" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Berkeley</a>, California) was an American scholar known for his academic career at the <span id="ref1082931"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-California" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">University of California</a> at Berkeley and for spearheading the digitization of the archives of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smithsonian-Institution" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Smithsonian Institution</a> during his <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="tenure" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenure" data-type="MW">tenure</a> as secretary (CEO).</p><!--[MOD1]--><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD2]--><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Despite Heyman’s early interest in science—he qualified to enter the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="exclusive" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclusive" data-type="MW">exclusive</a> Bronx High School of Science but transferred to a private school so that he could play football and basketball—he studied government at <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dartmouth-College" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dartmouth College</a>, Hanover, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Hampshire-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New Hampshire</a>, receiving a B.A. in 1951. After serving as a U.S. Marine Corps officer during the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Korean War</a>, he entered <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yale-University" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Yale University</a> Law School, where he became editor of the <em>Yale Law Journal</em>. He graduated in 1956, and from 1958 to 1959 he served as chief law clerk for Chief <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Justice" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Justice" data-type="MW">Justice</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Earl-Warren" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Earl Warren</a>.</p><!--[MOD2]--><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD3]--><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Heyman began his teaching career at the University of California at Berkeley as an acting professor of law in 1959 and became a full professor in 1961 and a professor of law and city and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/regional-development-program" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">regional planning</a> in 1966. He served as chancellor of the university from 1980 to 1990, during which time he restructured and revitalized the biosciences programs. While at that post, he also became a successful fund-raiser and helped supervise the university museums.</p><div class="module-spacing"> </div><!--[MOD3]--><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD4]--><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Throughout his career Heyman involved himself in a wide range of issues by both serving on and chairing numerous committees dealing with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/civil-rights" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">civil rights</a>, land use, and environmental concerns. From 1993 to 1994 he was deputy assistant secretary for policy at the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-Department-of-the-Interior" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Department of the Interior</a>, acting as <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="counselor" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counselor" data-type="MW">counselor</a> to Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt on such issues as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Endangered-Species-Act" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Endangered Species Act</a>. He also served on the <span id="ref1082930"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smithsonian-Institution" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Smithsonian</a>’s Board of Regents from 1990 to 1994, an involvement that thoroughly acquainted him with the institution.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><!--[MOD4]--><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD5]--><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In 1994 Heyman became the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (founded 1846), a complex of museums and galleries, several research centres, and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/National-Zoological-Park" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">National Zoological Park</a>, most of which are located in Washington, D.C. Heyman’s main task as secretary was the digitization of the Smithsonian’s rich collection of information to make it readily accessible. He retired from the position in 1999. The following year he became the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="interim" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interim" data-type="MW">interim</a> director of the Center for Studies in Higher Education at Berkeley, a position he held to 2002.</p><!--[MOD5]--><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/contributor/encyclopaedia-britannica/12989892">Encyclopaedia Britannica</a>.</span><!--[END-OF-CONTENT]--><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><!--[AFTER-ARTICLE]--><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script> <!-- Ortto ebmwprod capture code --> <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":264703,"pageLength":375,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"C","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"BIO_MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>