George Edwards English naturalist and ornithologist Date of Birth: 03.04.1694 Country: Great Britain

Biography of George Edwards

George Edwards, an English naturalist and ornithologist, was born on April 3, 1694, in Stratford, Essex. He received his early education from a priest named Hewit, who managed a school in Leytonstone. After completing his apprenticeship with a trader on Fenchurch Street in London, Edwards had the opportunity to use Dr. Nicholas's library, where he read incessantly.

In his youth, Edwards developed a passion for natural history and ornithology. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, studying and sketching animals, particularly birds. He spent a month in Holland and then in 1718, he traveled to Norway, where he was mistakenly arrested by Danish soldiers suspecting him of being a spy. Over the next two years, Edwards journeyed through France, part of which he traveled on foot. Upon his return home, he began creating his famous colored drawings, which brought him both recognition and a good income.

In 1731, Edwards visited Holland again. In December 1733, through the recommendation of Sir Hans Sloane, an English physician and naturalist, he obtained the position of librarian at the Royal College of Physicians in London. In 1743, he published the first volume of his remarkable work, "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds," which took him over 20 years to complete. Interestingly, Edwards dedicated his life's work to God.

The second volume of his "History" was published in 1747, followed by the third in 1750, and the fourth in 1751. Additionally, he released three additional volumes titled "Gleanings of Natural History" in 1758, 1760, and 1764 respectively. These works contained illustrations and descriptions of over 600 scientific objects that had not been previously documented or classified. Edwards also compiled a comprehensive index in English and French, which was later used by the renowned Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, with whom Edwards regularly corresponded.

On St. Andrew's Day, November 30, 1760, Edwards was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Society, of which he later became a member. On February 13, 1762, he was elected as a member of the Society of Antiquaries. Around 1764, Edwards retired and settled in Plaistow, Essex, where he passed away from cancer on July 23, 1773. He was buried in the churchyard of West Ham parish.

The surviving portrait of Edwards was engraved by J. S. Millar in 1764. Shortly before his death, the Marquis of Bute acquired his collection of drawings. Among Edwards' other works are "Essays of Natural History" (1770) and "Elements of Fossilogy" (1776).