Albany Hancock facts for kids
Albany Hancock (born December 24, 1806 – died 1873) was an English naturalist and biologist. He was born on Christmas Eve in Newcastle upon Tyne. He is best known for his studies of sea animals and fossils found in coal areas. He also supported the ideas of Charles Darwin.
Albany Hancock was the brother of another naturalist, John Hancock. The brothers lived with their sister, Mary Jane, in Newcastle. Their home is now part of a special historic building.
Early Life and Studies
Albany Hancock went to The Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. After school, he began training to become a lawyer. He completed all the necessary studies and passed his exams. He even planned to open his own law office in Newcastle.
A Life Dedicated to Nature
Even though he trained as a lawyer, Albany Hancock's real passion was nature. After working for a short time at a company that made things, he decided to follow his true interest. He spent the rest of his life studying natural history. This means he studied plants, animals, and the natural world around him.
The Hancock Museum
The Hancock Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne is named after Albany Hancock and his brother, John. Both brothers played a very important part in getting the museum built. Today, the museum has many of the specimens they collected during their studies.
