Edward Burton (zoologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Burton
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1790 Southampton, Hampshire, England
|
| Died | 11 March 1867 (age 67) Hollingbourne, Kent
|
| Burial place | Boxley, Kent |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Army surgeon, zoologist |
|
Notable work
|
A Catalogue of the Collection of Mammalia and Birds in the Museum of the Army Medical Department at Fort Pitt, Chatham |
Edward Burton (1790 – 11 March 1867) was a British Army surgeon and a zoologist. He was also a local judge in Kent. He was a member of important scientific groups, like the Royal Society and the Linnean Society.
Contents
Who Was Edward Burton?
Not much is known about Edward Burton's early life. He might have studied medicine at St. George's Hospital, London. This hospital is famous for training doctors.
Edward Burton's Army Career
Edward Burton started his army career in 1813. He worked as an Assistant-Surgeon with the 12th Foot regiment. This meant he was a doctor for the soldiers.
He moved to different army units over the years. By 1826, he was with the 9th Light Dragoons. He was promoted to Surgeon to the Forces. This was a higher medical rank in the army. He retired from the army in 1837.
Edward Burton's Work as a Zoologist
From 1829 to 1837, Burton was based at Fort Pitt in Chatham. This fort had a museum with many animal specimens.
In 1838, he wrote an important book. It was called A Catalogue of the Collection of Mammalia and Birds in the Museum of the Army Medical Department at Fort Pitt, Chatham. In this book, he listed and described the animals in the museum. He wrote that he worked on it whenever his army duties allowed.
Burton was very good at describing new animal species. He officially named several types of birds. This means he was the first person to give them their scientific names.
He might have written a paper in 1821 about a type of pelican. This pelican lived on Ascension Island. In 1835, he showed a rare animal called a Ratelus at the Zoological Society of London. The next year, he described a Himalayan flowerpecker bird to the same society.
Edward Burton's Legacy
Edward Burton's work was so important that several animals were named after him. This is a special way to honor scientists.
- A bird called the spectacled finch (Callacanthis burtoni)
- Two types of lizards: Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) and Burton's nessia (Nessia burtonii)
- A mammal, Burton's gerbil (Gerbillus burtoni), might also be named in his honor.
