Robert Patterson (Belfast) facts for kids
Robert Patterson (1802–1872) was an important Irish businessman and naturalist. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, like animals and plants. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a big honor for scientists.
Contents
Robert Patterson's Early Life and Education
Robert Patterson was born in 1802 into a wealthy family in Belfast, Ireland. His father owned a successful business that supplied mills. Robert went to two good schools: the Belfast Academy and the Belfast Academical Institution. While at school, he showed his early interest in nature. He even won a prize for an essay about the natural history of Lough Neagh, a large lake in Ireland.
Family and Business Life
When his father passed away in 1831, Robert took over the family business. He later married Mary Ferrar. They lived in Belfast and had 11 children.
Patterson's Contributions to Natural History
Robert Patterson was very active in the world of natural history. When he was only 19 years old, he helped create the Belfast Natural History Society in 1821. This society built the first museum in Ireland that was paid for by public donations. Robert worked with this society for over 50 years, holding many different important jobs.
He was also a member of other important groups, like the Belfast Literary Society and the Royal Irish Academy. In 1859, the famous Royal Society elected him as a Fellow, which is a very high honor for scientists. He was also an early member of the British Association, where he helped lead the Natural History section.
By his thirties, Robert Patterson was known as an important naturalist. He worked closely with famous scientists like Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution. He also knew Thomas Bell, Edward Forbes, William Yarrell, and Charles Lucien Bonaparte.
Robert Patterson passed away in February 1872. It's important not to confuse him with his second son, Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906), or his grandson, Robert Patterson (1863-1931), who were also naturalists.
Books and Educational Works
Robert Patterson wrote several books and helped with others. These works helped people learn more about nature and language.
- Insects Mentioned in Shakespeare's Plays (1842): This book looked at the insects mentioned in the famous plays by William Shakespeare.
- A Glossary of Words in Use in the Counties of Antrim and Down: This was a study of local words used in two counties in Ireland.
- Zoology for Schools (1846–48): This book was written to teach students about zoology, which is the study of animals. It had several later editions.
- He also edited Volume 4 of William Thompson's Natural History of Ireland (1856).
Patterson also created a series of large, colorful diagrams for the Department of Science and Art. These diagrams were illustrated by Joseph Wolf and were used widely in schools in Britain, Ireland, and the United States to teach about nature.
Gallery
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Patterson Zoological Chart
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Patterson Zoological Chart
