Peter Chalmers Mitchell
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell CBE
FRS DSc
LLD
(23 November 1864–1945), zoologist, was Secretary of the Zoological Society of London
from 1903 to 1935. During this time he directed the policy of the London Zoo
, and created the world's first open zoological park known as Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.
, Scotland
. Mitchell gained an MA
at the University of Aberdeen
, and moved to Christ Church, Oxford
, where he read for natural science, specialising in zoology. After success in the honours examination of 1888, he was appointed University Demonstrator in Zoology.
.
Mitchell's brainchild, Whipsnade Park, was opened in 1931 on the Dunstable Downs, in the heart of Bedfordshire. Whipsnade is an open air zoo in the countryside, where animals occupy large enclosures rather than cages. The park is involved in a variety of conservation activities.
, staying there during the Spanish Civil War
. An account of his last days in Malaga as the city fell to rebel forces is included in Arthur Koestler's
book Spanish Testament
.
candidate at the Combined Scottish Universities by-election, 1938
, but took last position, with only 13.5% of the votes cast.
Crook D.P. 1989. Peter Chalmers Mitchell and antiwar evolutionism in Britain during the Great War. Journal of the History of Biology.
22, 325-356.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
FRS DSc
DSC
-in academia:* D.Sc., Doctor of Science* Doctor of Surgical Chiropody, superseded in the 1960s by Doctor of Podiatric Medicine* Dalton State College, Georgia* Daytona State College, Florida* Deep Springs College, California* Dixie State College of Utah...
LLD
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
(23 November 1864–1945), zoologist, was Secretary of the Zoological Society of London
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats...
from 1903 to 1935. During this time he directed the policy of the London Zoo
London Zoo
London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847...
, and created the world's first open zoological park known as Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.
Early life
Peter Chalmers Mitchell was the son of the Rev. Alexander Mitchell, a Presbyterian minister in DunfermlineDunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Mitchell gained an MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, and moved to Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, where he read for natural science, specialising in zoology. After success in the honours examination of 1888, he was appointed University Demonstrator in Zoology.
Zoo
Despite a tenure of 32 years, Mitchell was not the longest-serving Secretary of the Zoological Society. His predecessor, Philip Lutley Sclater, had been in office over forty years, from 1860 to 1902. Mitchell was succeeded by Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley
Sir Julian Sorell Huxley FRS was an English evolutionary biologist, humanist and internationalist. He was a proponent of natural selection, and a leading figure in the mid-twentieth century evolutionary synthesis...
.
Mitchell's brainchild, Whipsnade Park, was opened in 1931 on the Dunstable Downs, in the heart of Bedfordshire. Whipsnade is an open air zoo in the countryside, where animals occupy large enclosures rather than cages. The park is involved in a variety of conservation activities.
Malaga
On retiring from the zoo Mitchell moved to MalagaMálaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, staying there during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. An account of his last days in Malaga as the city fell to rebel forces is included in Arthur Koestler's
Arthur Koestler
Arthur Koestler CBE was a Hungarian author and journalist. Koestler was born in Budapest and, apart from his early school years, was educated in Austria...
book Spanish Testament
Spanish Testament
Spanish Testament is a 1937 book by Arthur Koestler, describing his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. Part II of the book was subsequently published on its own, with minor modifications, under the title Dialogue with Death...
.
Politics
Mitchell stood as an independentIndependent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
candidate at the Combined Scottish Universities by-election, 1938
Combined Scottish Universities by-election, 1938
The Combined Scottish Universities by-election, 1938 was a by-election held from 21 February to 25 February 1938 for the Combined Scottish Universities, a university constituency of the British House of Commons.- Vacancy :...
, but took last position, with only 13.5% of the votes cast.
Publications
- 1900. Thomas Henry Huxley: a sketch of his life and work. Putnam's, London & N.Y; 2nd ed Methuen, London 1913.
- 1904. The nature of Man.
- 1911. Official guide to the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, Zoological Society of London, London.
- 1912. The childhood of animals. Heinemann; Penguin.
- 1930. Materialism and vitalism in biology. Oxford.
- 1931. A centenary history of the London zoo.
- 1937. My fill of days. Faber & Faber, London.
- 1937. Counter-attack in Spain. (with Ramon Sender) Houghton-Mifflin, Boston.
Crook D.P. 1989. Peter Chalmers Mitchell and antiwar evolutionism in Britain during the Great War. Journal of the History of Biology.
22, 325-356.