Charles Joseph Gahan facts for kids

Charles Joseph Gahan (born January 20, 1862 – died January 21, 1939) was an Irish scientist who loved studying insects, especially beetles. He was an entomologist, which is a scientist who studies insects. Gahan became a very important person at the British Museum (Natural History) in London, where he was in charge of the insect department for 13 years. He was especially famous for his work on a type of beetle called Cerambycidae, also known as longhorn beetles.

Who Was Charles Joseph Gahan?

Charles Joseph Gahan was a dedicated scientist from Ireland. He spent his life learning about and working with insects, particularly beetles. His work helped us understand more about these tiny creatures.

Early Life and Education

Gahan was born in Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland. His father, Michael Gahan, was a school teacher. Charles went to Queens College Galway for his first studies, where he did very well. Later, he continued his education at the Royal School of Mines in Kensington. In 1882, he was recognized as the top biology student and received a special medal and other awards.

Working at the Museum

In 1886, Charles Gahan started working at the British Museum (Natural History) in London. He began as an assistant in the zoology department, which studies animals. Later, in 1913, a new department was created just for insects, called the Department of Entomology. Gahan became the Keeper (or head) of this new department. He held this important position for 13 years.

His Work with Beetles

Gahan was a true expert on beetles. He was especially knowledgeable about Cerambycidae, which are also known as longhorn beetles because of their very long antennae. His deep understanding of these insects led him to write a major book in 1906. This book was part of a famous series called The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma, and his volume focused entirely on the beetles found in those regions.

Gahan was also very active in the scientific community. He served as the honorary Secretary of the Entomological Society of London from 1899 to 1900. Later, he was elected as the president of the society from 1917 to 1918.

Later Life

Charles Gahan married Annie Woodward in 1887. He retired from his work at the museum in 1920. After retiring, he lived in a place called Aylsham in Norfolk, England. He passed away in Aylsham on January 21, 1939, just one day after his 77th birthday.