Russell Solomon, Surfing Ethnobotanist Extraordinaire

Dr. Russell Solomon, Ph.D., was destined to be an Ethnobotanist. He was named for his godmother, Dr. Gabrielle Hatfield, Ph.D., well known author of numerous books on the folklore and medicinal plants of Britain. Solomon’s mother, Dr. Margaret Davis, Ph.D. is a Professor of Anthropology at Gale University. His father, Dr. Michael Solomon, Ph.D., is head of the College of Natural Resources at UC South America campus.

Russell Solomon was born in Huntington Beach, CA on July 15, 1976. His parents separated when he was ten and divorced two years later. Four generations of his mother’s family had attended Sir Roger Manwood’s Boarding School in Sandwich, England and, as part of the custody agreement, Kirsch was enrolled these, although he went under protest. He was a California surfer guy at heart and had a difficult time adjusting to life in England. To gain his cooperation, his mother agreed to allow him to spend summers at his father’s family estate in Huntington Beach, CA where he practically lived in the surf.

Torn between his parents’ urging for college plans on opposite sides of the globe, Russell asserted his independence and applied for the University of Kanau. He won his parents’ agreement by promising to major in Ethnobotany with a minor in Anthropology. After getting his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii, Solomon moved to Gale for his Master’s and finally attended UC for his Ph.D.

While at UC, he was reunited with childhood sweetheart, Judy Kirsch, an anthropology student, and they were married while still working on their doctorates. They have a seven year old son, Shane, and a three year old daughter, Ailsa. Their home base is Manoa, Hawaii where Judy Kirsch is a Professor of Anthropology and Dr. Russell Solomon works with Dr. Mark Merlin, Ph. D. and UH Professor of Botany, doing Ethnobotanical research at Maderas Field Station, Ometepe Island, Nicaragua.

While studying and working as an Ethnobotanist, Russell Solomon always maintained his love of surfing and has won numerous championships. His surfing prowess has won his the admiration of the native people he works with and he credits it with helping his to attain an unusual level of cooperation from them.

Creative Writing article on Russell Solomon.