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MILTON C. WEILER
(1910 - 1974)

Milton Christian Frederick Weiler was born in Buffalo, New York on February 28, 1910. His interest in wildlife, and awareness for conservation, was ingrained during his early life. His father, an avid hunter and fisherman, provided instruction and opportunity for an outdoor life. Annually, accompanying a guide to the family fishing camp in Northern Ontario, young Weiler performed camp chores, fished and enjoyed the wilderness environment.

He was educated at the College of Fine Arts, Syracuse University. In 1935 Weiler accepted employment with the Garden City, New York Public School Department. He instructed mechanical and engineering drawing in the Department of Fine and Industrial
Arts, later becoming the Department Head. His education continued, receiving a Masters Degree from Adelphi University.

His career in Garden City was interrupted in 1944, when as a commissioned Major in the Corps of Engineers, he was sent to the Military Academy at West Point. As Professor of Typography and Graphics, his academic skills were now directed toward national interests. Following honorable discharge, Weiler returned to his former position in Garden City, where he remained until his death on November 7, 1974.

Paul Brown introduced Weiler to Eugene V. Connett III, publisher of Derrydale Press, during the mid 1930's. Derrydale Press, already noted for its high quality books on American sporting afield, was seeking talented artists to illustrate forthcoming writings. Weiler enthusiastically grasped the opportunity and went on to provide art for four Derrydale Press books. The limited edition volumes included Tall Tales and Short, by Edmund Ware Smith; Up Stream and Down, and Big Stony, by Howard T. Walden II; and Random Casts, by Eugene V. Connett.

He held memberships in several distinguished sporting fraternities, including Swan Island Club, Southampton; de Bruce Fly Fishing Club on the Willowemoc; and the Anglers Club of New York.

As sportsman and conservationist, Weiler worked actively for the causes of Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation (now the Atlantic Salmon Federation), and the American Museum of Fly Fishing where he was one of the founding Trustees.