Established in 1947 to celebrate neuroanatomy and now promotes all of neuroscience.

Clarence Luther Herrick (1858–1904) was a pioneering American comparative neurologist, naturalist, and the founding editor of The Journal of Comparative Neurology in 1891. His early studies on the brain organization of reptiles, amphibians, and fishes helped establish comparative neuroanatomy as a scientific discipline in the United States. Herrick’s integrative approach—linking natural history, anatomy, and early neurobiology—laid an essential foundation for generations of neuroscientists.

The C. L. Herrick Award was established to honor exceptional contributions in comparative neuroanatomy and related fields that reflect the innovative and interdisciplinary spirit of Herrick’s work. 2025 marks the inaugural year of this annual award, presented at the Cajal Club Social during the Society for Neuroscience meeting.