Joan Beauchamp Procter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Procter
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A marble statue of Joan Beauchamp Procter, made by George Alexander (1931), found in the Reptile House at London Zoo.
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Joan Beauchamp Procter
5 August 1897 11, Kensington Square, London, United Kingdom
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| Died | 20 September 1931 (aged 34) St Mark’s House, St Mark’s Square, London, United Kingdom
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| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
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| Awards | Honorary Doctor of Science (1931), University of Chicago |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Herpetology |
| Institutions | British Museum (Natural History) Zoological Society of London |
| Academic advisors | George Albert Boulenger Edward George Boulenger Peter Chalmers Mitchell |
| Influences | George Albert Boulenger Peter Chalmers Mitchell |
Joan Beauchamp Procter (born August 5, 1897 – died September 20, 1931) was a famous British zoologist. She was known around the world as an amazing herpetologist, someone who studies reptiles and amphibians.
She first worked at the British Museum (Natural History). Later, she joined the Zoological Society of London. There, she became the very first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo.
Joan had poor health throughout her short life. But she still did a lot of important work. She helped classify many animals and made big improvements in how zoo animals were cared for and displayed. She also wrote articles about animals, including some of the first descriptions of how Komodo dragons behaved in zoos.
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Early Life and Love for Reptiles
Joan Procter was born in London on August 5, 1897. Her father, Joseph Procter, was a stockbroker. Her mother, Elizabeth Procter, was an artist. Joan's grandfather loved art, plants, and rocks. These family interests in art and science influenced Joan and her sister, Christabel. Their homes had big gardens, which helped them explore nature.
From a young age, Joan loved amphibians and reptiles. When she was just ten, she kept several snakes and lizards as pets. She learned about all the different types of reptiles found in Britain. A large Dalmatian Wall Lizard was her special pet. It went everywhere with her and even sat at the table during meals!
Joan was often sick as a child. But when she was twelve, she spent six active months in Switzerland. She enjoyed dancing, tobogganing, and studying plants. This was the only time she felt mostly free from the stomach illness that bothered her for the rest of her life.
Her interest in reptiles grew even more when she attended St Paul's Girls' School (1908–1916). When she was sixteen, she got a young crocodile as a pet. She even took it to school, which caused quite a stir in a math class! People said she was a "brilliant" student. However, her education was often stopped because of her ongoing illness. Even though she was very promising, her health prevented her from going to Cambridge University.
Working at the British Museum
Joan Procter's questions about reptiles caught the attention of George Albert Boulenger. He was the Keeper of Reptiles and Fishes at the British Museum (Natural History). He encouraged her interest.
When she left school, Boulenger invited her to work with him. In 1916, she became his assistant at the museum. She worked there as a volunteer. Even without a university degree, she was able to study animals thanks to his guidance.
At nineteen, she presented her first scientific paper. It was about different kinds of pit viper snakes from Central and South America. In August 1917, she became a Fellow of the Zoological Society (FZS). When Boulenger retired in 1920, Joan took full charge of the reptiles at the museum. She also started getting paid for her work.
Between 1917 and 1923, she studied and wrote many scientific papers. These papers were about the bodies, classification, and habits of reptiles and amphibians. One important study was about an East African tortoise, now called the Pancake tortoise. This tortoise can hide in rock cracks because its shell is flexible. She wrote to many scientists around the world, building her reputation. She also officially described many animals that others had collected.
Joan Procter was also a talented artist. At the museum, she made models for display cases. She combined her artistic skill with scientific accuracy in paintings of amphibians and reptiles. These paintings were even made into color postcards. She was recognized for her excellent work and became a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS).
Moving to London Zoo
Joan Procter's artistic and technical skills became well-known at the Zoological Society. This was mainly thanks to her friendship with Edward G. Boulenger, George Boulenger's son. Edward had been the Curator of Reptiles at the society since 1911.
In early 1923, Edward was in charge of building the new Aquarium at London Zoo. Even though Joan still worked at the British Museum, she helped him for several months. She built small models of the new aquarium tanks. She also used her artistic talent to design the rocks and backgrounds for them.
Later that year, Edward Boulenger became the Director of the Aquarium. Joan Procter was then chosen to take his place as Curator of Reptiles. She was happy to leave the Natural History Museum. She felt that the conditions there were not good for women.
Designing Zoo Exhibits
After her success with the aquarium, Joan designed rock formations for outdoor areas at the Zoo. This included the Antelope Paddock. She made models for the large rock structures of Monkey Hill (1924–1925). This area was built where the Animal Hospital is today. The large group of hamadryas baboons living there became very popular with visitors. During Joan Procter's lifetime, Monkey Hill was seen as a great success.
One of Joan Procter's most lasting achievements was her design for the Reptile House. It was built between 1926 and 1927. This was the first building of its kind in the world made just for reptiles, and it is still used today! She designed the rock formations and pools for the reptile enclosures. A scenic artist was hired to paint natural-looking backgrounds based on her designs.
The Reptile House included many of Joan Procter's new ideas. It was the first to use 'Vita-glass'. This special glass let in natural ultraviolet light, which reptiles need to stay healthy. It also had other clever features. For example, it guided visitors through the building in a specific way. It also had different heating for each enclosure and special lighting. These ideas were later used in other zoo buildings around the world.
Working with Dangerous Animals
Joan Procter became very skilled at handling large animals. These included big pythons, crocodilians, and Komodo dragons. The first two live Komodo dragons to arrive in Europe were shown in the Reptile House when it opened in 1927.
She developed an amazing connection with these animals. She showed that their behavior in captivity could be different from their scary reputation. She knew they "could no doubt kill one if they wished." But with good care, feeding, and regular handling, the dragons became "as tame as dogs." They even seemed to show affection.
One dragon named Sumbawa became Joan Procter's special pet. It often walked around the Zoo with her. She would sometimes guide it by holding its tail. Sumbawa was gentle with visitors, even young children. A photo in one of her articles shows Sumbawa next to a two-year-old child who seems to be petting the reptile's head. In 1928, she showed this animal at a meeting of the Zoological Society. She fed it chicken, eggs, and a pigeon by hand while stroking it.
She also worked closely with the zoo's animal doctor to find and treat diseases. She became very good at treating sick animals. Sometimes she needed help. For example, a Komodo dragon "required three strong keepers to hold it while she opened its mouth." Using special tools she designed herself, she successfully performed many veterinary procedures. Many of these had never been tried before.
Fame and Recognition
As the first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo, Joan Procter quickly became famous. At her home near the Zoo, she kept a pet chimpanzee named Johnnie. She also kept several live reptiles in her living room, including dangerous snakes in glass tanks. Newspapers in Britain and the United States often featured stories about this interesting young woman who worked with exotic and dangerous animals.
Joan Procter wrote many articles for scientific books and journals. She also wrote popular stories about animals, especially for J. A. Hammerton’s Wonders of Animal Life. Through her writings and letters to other scientists, she became known worldwide as a leading herpetologist. On March 28, 1931, she received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. This was to recognize her great achievements.
Illness and Early Passing
Joan Procter suffered from chronic illness throughout her adult life. She had several surgeries. She showed great determination and good humor, but all her achievements were made while she was in constant pain. In 1928, after five years of hard work at London Zoo, she became very ill. She decided to resign from her job. But the President of the Zoological Society refused to accept her resignation.
In 1928, Peter Chalmers Mitchell involved her in planning for a new zoo park being built at Whipsnade. He sent her to stay there while she was recovering. Every morning, she rode a donkey or pony from the farm to the edge of the Downs. The path she followed still exists within Whipsnade Zoo. It is named "Miss Joan’s Ride" in her memory.
Joan Procter continued to work with large, potentially dangerous animals even in her final years. At Whipsnade, she had an encounter with an escaped brown bear. She managed to capture it by luring it with honey and then shutting it in a lavatory. Towards the end of her life, when she could only move around London Zoo in an electric wheelchair, she was still often seen with a 3-meter-long Komodo dragon on a leash.
Even though she was seriously ill, she kept working when she could. She painted watercolors and planned articles for the Manchester Guardian. Joan Procter died from cancer at her home on September 20, 1931. She was only 34 years old.
Remembering Joan Procter
George Alexander, who carved the reptiles around the entrance to the Reptile House, later made a marble statue of Joan Procter. This statue was shown in 1931 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. It was later given to the Zoological Society and is now displayed with a bronze plaque at the entrance to the Reptile House at London Zoo. Alexander's carved reptiles were said to be very accurate and beautiful. The statue is also described as the "best likeness of her."
For International Women's Day in 2014, the Zoological Society of London celebrated Joan Procter's achievements. They also shared a picture of Joan Procter and one of her tame Komodo dragons on their website.
Two species of reptiles have been named to honor Joan Procter: a snake, Buhoma procterae; and a tortoise, Testudo procterae.
Images for kids
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Marble bust of Joan Beauchamp Procter, sculpted by George Alexander (1931), on display in the Reptile House at London Zoo
See also
In Spanish: Joan Beauchamp Procter para niños
