Henry John Carter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry John Carter
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| Born | 18 August 1813 Budleigh Salterton, Devon, United Kingdom
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| Died | 4 May 1895 (aged 81) Budleigh Salterton, Devon, United Kingdom
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College |
| Known for | Geology of the Western India |
| Awards | 1872 Royal Medal of the Royal Society |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
| Institutions | Her Majesty's Indian Service, Bombay Establishment |
Henry John Carter (born August 18, 1813 – died May 4, 1895) was a British surgeon who lived a fascinating life. He worked in Bombay, India, as an army surgeon. But he was much more than just a doctor! Henry Carter was also a dedicated scientist. He spent a lot of time studying geology (the science of Earth's rocks and history), paleontology (the study of ancient life through fossils), and zoology (the study of animals).
He worked for the British army in India starting in 1859. He put together a collection of important papers about the geology of India, which was published in 1857. Many of his scientific writings appeared in journals like the Annals of Natural History. Because of his important work, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1859. This is a very special honor for scientists.
Henry John Carter's Life Story
Henry Carter started his medical training at just sixteen years old. He studied at University College and became a surgeon in 1838. He worked at a hospital for a year and then helped manage its museum. In 1840, he visited a medical school in Paris.
In 1841, he joined the East India Company. This was a powerful British company that managed trade and ruled parts of India. Henry Carter served in different places like Calcutta, Madras, and Mauritius. He was even part of a battle in Sindh, India, in 1843. After this, he worked on a survey ship called Palinurus from 1844 to 1846.
Later, he became an assistant civil surgeon in Bombay. He was very active in scientific groups there, like the Medical and Physical Society and the Royal Asiatic Society. He focused on studying the geology and fossils of western India. He even tried to start a natural history society in 1856, but it didn't last long.
Henry Carter retired in 1862 and moved back to England. He settled in his hometown of Budleigh Salterton. In 1864, he married Anne Doyle and they had a daughter named Annie in 1866. Sadly, in 1888, he had a paralytic attack that affected his speech and eyesight. His health got worse in 1895, and he passed away on May 4th. He is buried in East Budleigh.
Awards and Discoveries
Henry Carter had a special interest in sponges, which are simple sea animals. He worked with J.E. Gray at the Natural History Museum to study them.
In 1872, he received the Royal Medal from the Royal Society. This important award was given to him for his "long and valuable research in zoology." They especially recognized his deep studies into the natural history of sponges.
Many different types of plants and animals have been named after him to honor his contributions to science. Here are some of them:
- Acanthella carteri Dendy, 1889
- Carterella Potts, 1881
- Carteria Gray, 1872 - also Carteria Diesing, 1866 [Alga]
- Carterias Schwartschevski, 1905
- Carteriospongia Hyatt, 1877
- Chondropsis carteri Dendy, 1895
- Clathria carteri Topsent, 1889
- Coelocarteria Burton, 1934
- Echinoclathria carteri Rildey & Dendy, 1886
- Ecionemia carteri Dendy, 1905
- Erylus carteri Sollas, 1888
- Forcepia carteri Dendy, 1896
- Geodia carteri Sollas, 1888
- Haliclona carteri Burton, 1959
- Hamacantha carteri Topsent, 1904
- Leucandra carteri Dendy, 1892
- Pericharax carteri Polejaeff, 1883
- Pristurus carteri (Gray, 1863)
- Pronax carteri Dendy, 1897
- Pseudoesperia carteri Deny & Frederick, 1924
- Spongia carteri Burton, 1930
- Spongilla carteri Bowerbank, 1858
- Stellettinopsis carteri Ridley, 1884
- Sycon carteri Dendy, 1892
- Thorecta carteri Lendenfeld, 1889
- Vioa carteri Ridley, 1881
- Axinella carteri (Dendy)
