Herbert Christopher Robinson
Encyclopedia
Herbert Christopher Robinson (4 November 1874 - June 1929) was a British
zoologist and ornithologist. He is principally known for conceiving and initiating the major ornithological reference The Birds of the Malay Peninsula
.
Robinson was born in Liverpool
in a large family that included several brokers, barristers and academics. He was educated at Marlborough College
, though he was unable to complete his studies there due to bad health. An attempted collecting expedition to New Guinea
was again abortive because of illness. He worked at the Liverpool Museum
with Dr H. O. Forbes before visiting the Federated Malay States
where he later accepted the Directorship of Museums. He was based in Selangor
from 1903 to 1926, making a return visit to England in 1920. He retired from the civil service
in 1926 and began preparing a comprehensive illustrated account
of the birds of the Malay Peninsula
. Of this work he produced the first two volumes and much of the manuscript of a third before he died in a nursing home in Oxford
early in June 1929. His work was eventually completed in five volumes by others.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
zoologist and ornithologist. He is principally known for conceiving and initiating the major ornithological reference The Birds of the Malay Peninsula
The Birds of the Malay Peninsula
The Birds of the Malay Peninsula is a major illustrated ornithological reference work conceived and started by Herbert Christopher Robinson. The full title is The Birds of the Malay Peninsula: a general account of the birds inhabiting the region from the isthmus of Kra to Singapore with the...
.
Robinson was born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in a large family that included several brokers, barristers and academics. He was educated at Marlborough College
Marlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
, though he was unable to complete his studies there due to bad health. An attempted collecting expedition to New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
was again abortive because of illness. He worked at the Liverpool Museum
World Museum Liverpool
World Museum is a large museum in Liverpool, England which has extensive collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. Special attractions include the Natural History Centre and a free Planetarium. Entry to the museum itself is also free...
with Dr H. O. Forbes before visiting the Federated Malay States
Federated Malay States
The Federated Malay States was a federation of four protected states in the Malay Peninsula—Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang—established by the British government in 1895, which lasted until 1946, when they, together with the Straits Settlements and the Unfederated Malay...
where he later accepted the Directorship of Museums. He was based in Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
from 1903 to 1926, making a return visit to England in 1920. He retired from the civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
in 1926 and began preparing a comprehensive illustrated account
The Birds of the Malay Peninsula
The Birds of the Malay Peninsula is a major illustrated ornithological reference work conceived and started by Herbert Christopher Robinson. The full title is The Birds of the Malay Peninsula: a general account of the birds inhabiting the region from the isthmus of Kra to Singapore with the...
of the birds of the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
. Of this work he produced the first two volumes and much of the manuscript of a third before he died in a nursing home in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
early in June 1929. His work was eventually completed in five volumes by others.