Bradford Washburn, the founder of the modern Boston Museum of Science who transformed a modest collection into renowned institution, died last night at the age of 96. Washburn ran the Museum of Science for 41 years. He was credited with being the first to reach the summits of seven North American mountains, and is considered a pioneer of aerial photography. Left, Bradford and Barbara Washburn on the summit of Mount Bertha, Alaska on July 31, 1940.