Godfrey Howitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Godfrey Howitt
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| Born | 8 October 1800 Heanor in Derbyshire
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| Died | 4 December 1873 (aged 73) |
| Education | Edinburgh University |
| Occupation | Doctor |
| Spouse(s) | Phoebe Bakewell |
| Children | three sons and a daughter |
| Parent(s) | Thomas Howitt and Phoebe Tantum |
Godfrey Howitt (born October 8, 1800 – died December 4, 1873) was a doctor and a scientist who studied insects. He was born in Heanor, a town in Derbyshire, England. His father, Thomas Howitt, was a farmer. Godfrey's family were members of the Society of Friends, also known as Quakers.
Godfrey went to school in Mansfield and was taught by his brother, William Howitt. He later studied medicine at Edinburgh University Medical School, becoming a doctor in 1830. The next year, in 1831, he married Phoebe Bakewell. He worked as a doctor in Leicester and Nottingham, helping patients at local hospitals.
Life in Australia
In 1839, Godfrey Howitt decided to move to Australia. He hoped the warmer climate would help his eldest son, John Henry, who was not very well. Godfrey, his family, and some relatives arrived in Port Phillip (which is now the city of Melbourne) in April 1840. He brought a special wooden house with him that could be put together easily. Soon after arriving, he started working at the Melbourne Hospital.
Sadly, Godfrey and Phoebe faced a difficult time. Their youngest son, Charles, passed away in 1842. The next year, their eldest son, John Henry, also died.
Even with these challenges, Howitt continued his work. By 1845, he owned a lot of land in the area. This included a large garden, fields near Yea, and a farm in Caulfield. Today, Howitt Road in North Caulfield runs through what used to be his land.
In 1847, Godfrey Howitt became the president and a doctor at the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. This was a place that helped people who were sick or in need. In 1852, his brother William visited him from England. His nephews, Alfred William Howitt and Charlton Howitt, came too. Alfred Howitt later became a very important person in Australia. He wrote books, helped manage the colony, and explored new areas.
From 1853 to 1871, Godfrey was a member of the University of Melbourne's council. He also helped create the University of Melbourne Medical School in 1858. He was also involved in several scientific groups. He was a founder of the Royal Society of Victoria, which is a group where scientists share their ideas and discoveries.
Botany and Entomology
Godfrey Howitt was very interested in plants and insects. Botany is the study of plants, and entomology is the study of insects.
In Australia, a famous scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller discovered a new blue-flowered plant in 1855. He named this plant Howittia after Godfrey. This was to show thanks for Godfrey's dedication to studying plants.
Godfrey also helped to start the Entomological Society of London in England. This society brought together people who studied insects. He was also a member of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. In 1839, he published a book called The Nottinghamshire Flora, which was about the plants found in Nottinghamshire, England.
Godfrey Howitt passed away on December 4, 1873, in Caulfield, Australia. He left money to the University of Melbourne for scholarships. He also left his books about plants and his collection of insects to the university.
