Samuel C. Dellinger (1892-1973) was professor of zoology at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (chairman of the department 1922-1957), as well as "curator" (director) of the University Museum, 1925-1960. He was also involved in anthropology, a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and a conservation activist.

Samuel Claudius Dellinger was born in 1892 in North Carolina. He studied at Duke University and was granted his B.A. in zoology in 1915. He then became professor of biology at Hendrix College, Conway. He took a year off to obtain his M.A. at Columbia University, 1917, and then returned to Conway. About 1918 he did some work toward a Ph.D. at Columbia, but never completed the degree, though he was always called "Doctor." He taught in Florida public schools, 1919-1920, and worked as a chemist for the Florida Citrus Exchange. In 1921 he came to the University of Arkansas as assistant professor of zoology, and was promoted to professor in 1924.

Dellinger was chairman of the Department of Zoology, 1922-1957, and director of the museum, 1925-1960. In 1926 he won a $20,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation for a state archaeological survey, the first such large grant ever awarded in Arkansas. Although lacking formal training in anthropology, he began teaching anthropology courses through the Department of Zoology, and in 1934 he was chairman of the Southern Prehistory Society. In the late 1930s and 1940s, he was president and editor of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, and in 1960/61 was the first president of the Arkansas Archeological Society (new series). He was also a charter member of the archaeological societies of Oklahoma and Missouri. At the university, he was advisor to the Arkansas chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a premedical and predental fraternity.

Dellinger was interested in conservation and taught classes in conservation and natural resources. He was a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 1922 to 1957. He supported the Buffalo National River and Lake Fayetteville Park, as well as various liberal political causes. He was also interested in folklore and helped organize the first folklore meeting in Eureka Springs in 1928.

After his retirement in 1959 Professor Emeritus Dellinger continued his political and conservation activities. He was a member of the Audubon Society, the National Gourd Society, the Nature Conservancy, Fayetteville's City Beautification Committee (he was chairman in 1968), as well as other organizations. He died in 1973.