Constantine Walter Benson
Encyclopedia
Constantine Walter Benson OBE
(1909–1982) was a British ornithologist. He is considered the last of a line of British Colonial officials who made significant contributions to ornithology.
. He became a colonial officer and spent many years in the African shrubs, in order to investigate the birds there. With time he became one of the best experts of East African birds, particularly in the Comoros. He made many scientific discoveries including:
In 1965, he became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
(OBE).
He wrote many books and articles during and after his service in the Officer Corps. His works include:
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1909–1982) was a British ornithologist. He is considered the last of a line of British Colonial officials who made significant contributions to ornithology.
Education and career
Constantine attended Cambridge University where he was a track starTrack and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. He became a colonial officer and spent many years in the African shrubs, in order to investigate the birds there. With time he became one of the best experts of East African birds, particularly in the Comoros. He made many scientific discoveries including:
- Ploceus ruweti
- Hirundo megaensis (White Tail Swallow or Benson swallow)
- Oreophilais robertsi
- Nesillas aldabrana
- Otus pauliani (Comoros owlComoro Scops OwlThe Comoro Scops Owl, Otus pauliani, is an owl endemic to the Comoro Islands.This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae....
)
In 1965, he became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE).
He wrote many books and articles during and after his service in the Officer Corps. His works include:
- “Birds of the Comoro Islands” (1960)
- “A Contribution to the Ornithology of Zambia” (1967)
- “Birds of Zambia” (1971)
- “The Birds of Malawi” (1977).