Osbert Salvin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osbert Salvin
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| Born | 25 February 1835 Finchley, England
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| Died | 1 June 1898 (aged 63) |
| Alma mater | Trinity Hall, Cambridge |
| Occupation | naturalist |
| Known for | Godman-Salvin Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Octavia Maitland |
Osbert Salvin (born February 25, 1835 – died June 1, 1898) was an English naturalist. This means he was a scientist who studied nature, including animals and plants. He was especially interested in birds (an ornithologist) and reptiles and amphibians (a herpetologist).
He is best known for writing a huge book series called Biologia Centrali-Americana with his friend Frederick DuCane Godman. This amazing project had 52 volumes and covered all the natural history of Central America.
Contents
Life and Discoveries of Osbert Salvin
Osbert Salvin was born in Finchley, a part of London, England. His father, Anthony Salvin, was a famous architect. Osbert went to Westminster School and then to Trinity Hall, Cambridge University. He finished his studies in 1857.
Early Travels and Explorations
Soon after university, Osbert went on an exciting trip to Tunisia and eastern Algeria with his cousin, Henry Baker Tristram. They explored the natural world there. They wrote about their adventures in a science magazine called The Ibis.
In 1857, Osbert made his first visit to Guatemala in Central America. He loved it so much that he went back in 1861 with his friend, Frederick DuCane Godman. During this trip, they came up with the idea for their massive book series, Biologia Centrali-Americana.
A Huge Book Project: Biologia Centrali-Americana
The Biologia Centrali-Americana was a giant encyclopedia about the plants and animals of Central America. It took many years to complete, from 1879 to 1915. It was a huge effort to document all the amazing creatures found in that part of the world.
Working with Birds and Other Animals
In 1871, Osbert Salvin became the editor of The Ibis, the same bird magazine where he published his early travel stories. He also worked at the University of Cambridge, where he helped organize and describe a large collection of birds.
He was one of the first members of the British Ornithologists' Union, a group for people who study birds. He wrote important parts of the Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum, focusing on hummingbirds (called Trochilidae) and seabirds (called Procellariidae).
Osbert Salvin was a member of many important scientific groups, like the Royal Society, the Linnean Society, the Zoological Society, and the Entomological Society. When he passed away, he was the Secretary of the British Ornithologists' Union.
Honors and Named Species
The Godman-Salvin Medal is a very special award given by the British Ornithologists' Union. It is named after Osbert Salvin and his friend Frederick DuCane Godman because of their important work.
Osbert Salvin also discovered and described two new species of Central American reptiles: a type of snake called Bothriechis aurifer and another snake called Typhlops tenuis.
Other scientists named several animals in his honor! These include:
- A type of lizard: Anolis salvini
- A rattlesnake subspecies: Crotalus scutulatus salvini
- Another lizard: Sceloporus salvini
- A large turtle: Staurotypus salvinii
Osbert Salvin's Family Life
In 1863, Osbert Salvin married Caroline Octavia Maitland. They had three daughters: Sybil, Heloise, and Viola. Interestingly, his grandson, who later became a Buddhist monk, was also named Osbert after him.
