| AdminHistory | Cuthbert Collingwood (1826-1908) was a naturalist, physician, and surgeon. He wrote several scientific papers and publications, including Rambles of a Naturalist on the Shores and Waters of the China Seas (1868), his most famous publication.
Collingwood was born on 25 December 1826 in Greenwich, England. He was the fifth of six sons of Samuel Collingwood (1786-1852), an architect and contractor and wife Frances Collingwood.
He was educated at King’s College School and then went on to attend Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with a B.A. in 1849, M.A. in 1852 and M.B. in 1854. Subsequently, he studied at Edinburgh University and at Guy's Hospital, as well as spending time in the medical schools of Vienna and Paris. He married Clara Mowbray (d1871), daughter of Lieutenant Colonel, Sir Robert Mowbray. They had no children together.
Collingwood was elected a Fellow at the Linnean Society in 1853 and served on its council in 1868. He was the lecturer of Botany at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary School of Medicine between 1858-1866 and in addition, lectured on Biology at the Liverpool School of Science. Between 1866-1967, Collingwood served as a surgeon and naturalist on HMS Rifleman and HMS Serpent, travelling on the China Seas and carrying out research in marine zoology. He was also senior physician at the Northern Hospital in Liverpool. Between 1876-1877 he travelled to Palestine and Egypt.
Collingwood was a member of the New Jerusalem Church and published many expositions of his religious beliefs, including ‘A Vision of Creation’ and ‘The Bible and the Age, Principles of Consistent Interpretation.’ For the remaining years of his life, Collingwood resided in Paris, where he died on 20 October 1908. |
James Edmund Fotheringham Harting (1841-1928) was an English ornithologist; Librarian and Assistant Secretary of the Linnean Society. He is best known for his significant contributions to the field of bird study, writing several books and journal articles on the subject, as well as working as editor for many British natural history periodicals.
Harting was born on 9 September 1841 in London, England, to Roman Catholic solicitor James Vincent Harting and Alexine Milne Fotheringham. He attended Downside School from 1854-1860 and then went on to study law at the University of London. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Lynch, daughter of J.M. Lynch of Kildare, Ireland. Together they had two children, named Hugh and Etheldreda.
Harting worked as a professional Solicitor from 1868-1878 before transitioning to a career in natural history and writing. Harting's most notable work is his book 'Handbook of British Birds,' published in 1872. This comprehensive guide provided detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations of British birds, making it a valuable resource for both professionals and amateurs. His meticulous observations and accurate depictions helped advance the understanding of avian species in Britain.
In 1888, Harting took on the role of Librarian at the Linnean Society of London, whilst also working as Natural History Editor of both The Field and The Zoologist. In 1897, he progressed to the role of Assistant Secretary.
Harting was considered an authority on British birds and Falconry and in addition to his written works, Harting also played a crucial role in establishing bird protection laws. He actively campaigned for the preservation of rare species and their habitats during a time when hunting was prevalent. His efforts contributed to the passing of legislation that protected certain bird species from excessive hunting.
Harting died on 16 January 1928, aged 86. He is buried in the Town Cemetery in Weybridge, Surrey, where he lived for most of his life. |
Albany Hancock (1806-1873), an English naturalist, and biologist gained recognition for his writings on coal-measure fossils and marine creatures. He resided with his brother, John Hancock, an ornithologist, and their sister, Mary Jane, at 4 St. Mary's Terrace in Newcastle upon Tyne. Today, the Hancock Museum, named after the Hancock siblings, is located in their former home, and holds numerous specimens collected by the siblings throughout their lives.
Albany Hancock was born on December 24, 1806, in Bridge End, Newcastle. His father, John Hancock, was a Saddler and Ironmonger. Hancock was educated at The Royal Grammar School and at the age of nineteen, he started his training under a local solicitor. Later on, Hancock established his own practice in Newcastle in 1830. However, he abandoned his career in law soon after to work as an employee at a manufacturing firm for a brief period of time. The rest of his life was dedicated to his true passion and interest, which was Natural History.
Hancock was a founding member of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle. He was recognized for his contributions to science when he was awarded the Royal Medal by the Royal Society in 1858. In 1862, he was also made a fellow of the Linnean Society. Additionally, he was a corresponding member of the Zoological Society and an honorary member of the Imperial Botanico-Zoological Society of Vienna.
He collaborated closely with Joshua Alder, an amateur zoologist and together they wrote and illustrated ‘A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca: with figures of all the species.’ Hancock himself went on to produce around seventy publications during his lifetime, including ‘Regulus ignicafiillus’, ‘Note on the Occurrence of Ranicefis trifurcatus on the Northumberland Coast’ and ‘Note on Falco ruazlies’.
After many years of ill health, Hancock died on 24 October 1873, aged 67. |