Edward Whitaker Gray facts for kids

Edward Whitaker Gray (born March 21, 1748 – died December 27, 1806) was an English botanist. He was also a secretary for the Royal Society. He was the uncle of Samuel Frederick Gray, who wrote The Practical Chemist.

Who Was Edward Gray?

Edward Gray was a very important person in the world of science. He was a doctor, a botanist (someone who studies plants), and a natural historian. He worked at the famous British Museum in London for many years.

Gray's Early Life and Education

Edward Gray was born in London on March 21, 1748. He studied at the Royal College of Physicians. While he was a student there, he also worked as the college's librarian. This means he was in charge of all the books. In 1773, he became a "licentiate." This is like getting a special license to practice medicine. Later, he earned his M.D. degree, which means he was a fully qualified doctor.

Working at the British Museum

In 1778, Edward Gray got a big job at the British Museum. He became the "keeper" of the natural history and antiquities departments. This meant he was in charge of all the museum's collections of plants, animals, and old artifacts. These collections came from Sir Hans Sloane, a famous collector. Gray held this important job until he died in 1806.

During his time at the museum, Gray did something very important. He reorganized all the natural history collections. He used the Linnaean taxonomy system. This system was created by Carl Linnaeus and helps scientists classify living things. It made the museum's collections much easier to understand. After Gray, George Shaw took over his role in 1807. Shaw had been helping Gray since 1791.

Gray's Work with Plants and Animals

Edward Gray was very interested in both plants and animals. As a malacologist, he studied mollusks like snails and shells. His Catalogue of Shells for the British Museum, published in 1791, shows his work in this area.

He also helped bring new plants to England. He introduced two types of Hexandria monogynia plants. One came from Brazil, and the other from Portugal. These plants were sent from Oporto and were added to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in 1777. Gray was also one of the first members of the Linnean Society of London when it started in 1788. This society is for people who study natural history.

His Role at the Royal Society

Edward Gray was a very active member of the Royal Society. This is a famous group of scientists. He was elected a fellow (a member) in February 1779. In 1785 and 1786, he gave special talks called Croonian Lectures. These talks were about how muscles work.

In 1789, he wrote an article called Observations on the … Amphibia. This article was published in the Philosophical Transactions journal. On St. Andrew's day in 1797, he became the junior secretary of the Royal Society. This was a very important leadership role. Sir Humphry Davy, a famous chemist, took over his secretarial job in 1807. Davy later became a mentor to Michael Faraday.

Edward Gray passed away at the British Museum on December 27, 1806. He was 58 years old.

Gray's Family Life

Edward Gray married Elizabeth Bearsley on June 6, 1775, in Oporto, Portugal. They had three children together. His two daughters, Juliana and Elizabeth, were both christened in Portugal. His younger daughter married Taylor Combe in 1808. Taylor Combe later became the junior secretary for the Royal Society, just like Edward Gray. Gray's son, Francis Edward Gray, died on January 3, 1814, in Oporto, when he was 29 years old.

Gray's Published Works

Edward Gray wrote several important articles and catalogues. These helped share his scientific discoveries with others.

Articles in Philosophical Transactions

• "Observations on the manner in which glass is charged and discharged with the electric fluid" (1788).
• "Observations on the class of animals called by Linnæus amphibia; particularly on the means of distinguishing those serpents which are venomous from those which are not so" (1789).
• "Account of an earthquake felt in various parts of England, 18 November 1795, with some observations thereon" (1796).

Catalogues of Collections

• Catalogue of plants found in the neighbourhood of Newbury (published 1839).
• Catalogue of shells bequeathed to the British Museum by Rev. Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode (published 1801).