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1878 Sir Richard Owen photograph portrait
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1878 Sir Richard Owen photograph portrait
Richard Owen (20, July 1804- 18 December 1892). Woodburytype photograph by Lock & Whitfield published in Men or Mark 1878. Owen was a comparative anatomist and palaeontologist, who became one of the most famous and politically influential biologists of the Victorian era. His achievements included coining the word Dinosauria (1842 Vol. II Report on the British Reptiles), and establishing the new British Museum of Natural History at South Kensington in 1881. He worked hard and wrote prolifically, but his scientific legacy is limited. Partly this is because of his reluctance to theorize, and partly it is because of his antagonism towards those who advocated evolution by natural selection (Huxley in particular). Owens reputation was damaged by his unwillingness to admit mistakes or accept criticism, and a tendency to ruthlessly manoeuvre positions to take credit for discoveries
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Media ID 6317905
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
Anatomist Archetype British Biologist British Museum Of Natural History Comparative Anatomy Cuvier Darwin Enemy Darwin Fossils Dinosaur Dinosauria Fossils Hunterian Huxley Mantell Nautilus Owen Palaeontologist Taxonomy Victorian Zoologist
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of Sir Richard Owen, a prominent figure in the scientific community during the Victorian era. Taken in 1878 by Lock & Whitfield and published in Men or Mark, this Woodburytype photograph showcases Owen's distinguished features and intellectual prowess. Sir Richard Owen was renowned for his contributions as a comparative anatomist and palaeontologist. His significant achievements include coining the term "Dinosauria" in 1842 and establishing the esteemed British Museum of Natural History at South Kensington in 1881. Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Owen's scientific legacy remains somewhat limited due to certain factors. His reluctance to engage in theoretical discussions hindered further advancements within his field, while his antagonistic stance towards proponents of evolution by natural selection, particularly Thomas Huxley, tarnished his reputation. Additionally, Owens' unwillingness to admit mistakes or accept criticism often led him to ruthlessly maneuver positions to claim credit for discoveries made by others. Nevertheless, this portrait serves as a testament to Sir Richard Owen's undeniable influence on Victorian biology. It portrays an individual who dedicated himself tirelessly to research and prolific writing throughout his career. While flawed in some aspects, he left an indelible mark on taxonomy, comparative anatomy, and our understanding of fossils. Paul D. Stewart expertly captures both the historical significance and complexity surrounding Sir Richard Owen through this compelling print from Science Photo Library.
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