E. Ray Lankester facts for kids
{{Infobox scientist |name = Sir E. Ray Lankester |image = PSM V73 D096 Edwin Ray Lankester.jpg |image_size = 210px |caption = Sir E. Ray Lankester in 1908 |birth_date = 15 May 1847 |birth_place = London |death_date = 13 August 1929 (aged 82) |death_place = London |residence = |citizenship = |nationality = British |ethnicity = |field = Zoology |work_institutions = University College London
Oxford University
British Museum (Natural History) |alma_mater = Christ Church, Oxford |known_for = Evolution, Rationalism |author_abbrev_bot = Lank. |author_abbrev_zoo = |influences = Thomas Henry Huxley, August Weismann, Anton Dohrn |influenced = E.S. Goodrich
W.F.R. Weldon |prizes = Knight Bachelor (1906)
Darwin-Wallace Medal (Silver, 1908)
Copley Medal (1913)
Linnean Medal (1920) }
Sir E. Ray Lankester (born May 15, 1847 – died August 13, 1929) was an important British zoologist. He was born in London, England. Lankester spent his life studying animals and how they changed over time.
He was a professor of Zoology at University College London and Oxford University. He also became the third Director of the famous Natural History Museum in London. For his amazing work, he received the Copley Medal from the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists.
Ray Lankester was the son of Edwin Lankester, who was also a doctor and a naturalist. His father helped to stop cholera outbreaks in London, making the city safer. Ray Lankester was likely named after another famous naturalist, John Ray.
Contents
Who Was Ray Lankester?
Sir E. Ray Lankester was a leading scientist in his time. He focused on invertebrate animals, which are creatures without a backbone, like insects, worms, and jellyfish. He was also a key figure in the study of evolution. This field looks at how living things have changed and developed over millions of years.
Early Life and Family
Edwin Ray Lankester was born into a family interested in science. His father, Edwin Lankester, was a well-known doctor and naturalist. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, including plants and animals. His father also worked as a coroner, investigating deaths. He played a big part in improving public health in London. Ray Lankester never used his first name, Edwin; he was always known as Ray Lankester.
Studying Animals and Evolution
Ray Lankester spent his career learning about the animal kingdom. He was especially interested in how different species are related to each other. He also studied how they changed over long periods. His work helped us understand more about the history of life on Earth.
What is Zoology?
Zoology is the scientific study of animals. Zoologists like Ray Lankester observe animals, learn about their behavior, and understand their bodies. They also study how animals live in their environments. This field helps us protect animals and their habitats.
Understanding Evolution
Evolution is a core idea in biology. It explains how life on Earth has changed over time. Ray Lankester was an evolutionary biologist. This means he studied how new species develop and how existing ones adapt. He supported the ideas of Charles Darwin about natural selection. This is the process where living things that are best suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
Leading the Natural History Museum
One of Ray Lankester's most important roles was being the Director of the Natural History Museum in London. This museum is home to millions of plant, animal, fossil, and mineral specimens. As director, he helped manage and grow the museum's collections. He also made sure that the museum continued to be a place for scientific research and public education. His leadership helped make the museum a world-famous center for natural history.
Important Awards and Recognition
Ray Lankester received many honors for his scientific work. In 1906, he was made a Knight Bachelor, which means he was given the title "Sir." He also received the Darwin–Wallace Medal in 1908. This medal celebrates important contributions to evolutionary biology. In 1913, he was awarded the Copley Medal. This is one of the oldest and most respected science awards in the world. These awards show how much his work was valued by other scientists.
Images for kids
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Ray Lankester by Leslie Ward, Vanity Fair 1905.
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Sir Edwin Ray Lankester in 1918
See also
In Spanish: Ray Lankester para niños
