Thomas Frederic Cheeseman
Encyclopedia
Thomas Frederick Cheeseman (1846 – 15 October 1923) was a New Zealand
botanist and also a naturalist
who had a wide-ranging interest in natural history, such that he even described a few species of sea slug
s, marine gastropod molluscs.
, in Yorkshire
in 1846, but came to New Zealand with his parents when he was eight. He was educated at Parnell Grammar School and then at St John's College, Auckland
. His father, the Rev. Thomas Cheeseman had been a member of the old Auckland Provincial Council.
Cheeseman started studying the flora of New Zealand, and in 1872 he published an accurate and comprehensive account of the plant life of the Waitakere Ranges
.
In 1874 he was appointed Secretary of the Auckland Institute and Curator of the (at the time only fairly recently founded) Auckland Museum. Under his curatorship, the museum collections were formed. His botanical studies were valuable not just academically, but also were of importance to agriculture
, horticulture
, and forestry
. He published papers almost every year until his death.
When Cheeseman's research began, the botany of New Zealand was quite poorly known. Cheeseman made many collecting trips including areas such as the Nelson Provincial District, the Kermadec
and Three Kings Islands
, and the area from Mangonui to the far north. He sometimes traveled with his friend Mr. J. Adams, of the Thames High School
, after whom he named the species Senecio adamsii and Elytranthe adamsii.
Cheeseman also visited Polynesia
. He published in the Transactions of the Linnean Society a full account of the flora of Rarotonga
, the chief island of the Cook Group
.
and Prize for his botanical researches. In 1919 he was made an original Fellow of the New Zealand Institute.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
botanist and also a naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
who had a wide-ranging interest in natural history, such that he even described a few species of sea slug
Slug
Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
s, marine gastropod molluscs.
Biography
Cheeseman was born at HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
, in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in 1846, but came to New Zealand with his parents when he was eight. He was educated at Parnell Grammar School and then at St John's College, Auckland
St John's College, Auckland
The College of St John the Evangelist, located in Meadowbank, Auckland, New Zealand, is the theological college of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia...
. His father, the Rev. Thomas Cheeseman had been a member of the old Auckland Provincial Council.
Cheeseman started studying the flora of New Zealand, and in 1872 he published an accurate and comprehensive account of the plant life of the Waitakere Ranges
Waitakere Ranges
The Waitakere Ranges are a chain of hills in the Auckland metropolitan area, generally running approximately 25 km from north to south, 25 km west of central Auckland, New Zealand. The maximum elevation within the ranges is 474 m...
.
In 1874 he was appointed Secretary of the Auckland Institute and Curator of the (at the time only fairly recently founded) Auckland Museum. Under his curatorship, the museum collections were formed. His botanical studies were valuable not just academically, but also were of importance to agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
, and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
. He published papers almost every year until his death.
When Cheeseman's research began, the botany of New Zealand was quite poorly known. Cheeseman made many collecting trips including areas such as the Nelson Provincial District, the Kermadec
Kermadec Islands
The Kermadec Islands are a subtropical island arc in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of New Zealand's North Island, and a similar distance southwest of Tonga...
and Three Kings Islands
Three Kings Islands
The Three Kings Islands or Manawa Islands are a group of 13 islands about northwest of Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, where the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea converge. They measure about 4.86 km² in area...
, and the area from Mangonui to the far north. He sometimes traveled with his friend Mr. J. Adams, of the Thames High School
Thames High School
Thames High School is a public high school in Thames, Auckland Province, New Zealand. Established in 1880, it is the second oldest secondary school in the Auckland Province.-Curriculum:* Drama* English* ESOL* Health/Physical Education** Food Technology...
, after whom he named the species Senecio adamsii and Elytranthe adamsii.
Cheeseman also visited Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
. He published in the Transactions of the Linnean Society a full account of the flora of Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
, the chief island of the Cook Group
Cook Group
Cook Group Incorporated is an American privately held company based in Bloomington, Indiana, and primarily involved in manufacturing of medical devices. It was ranked #324 in Forbes' 2008 America's Largest Private Companies. It has three main divisions: Cook Medical, Allied Manufacturing, and...
.
Membership
Cheeseman was a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, and the Zoological Society. He was made a Corresponding Membership of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and given the Gold Linnean Medal of the Linnean Society. The New Zealand Institute elected him President in 1911. In 1918 he was awarded the Hector Memorial MedalHector Memorial Medal
The Hector Memorial Medal is awarded annually for outstanding contribution to the advancement of the particular branch of science. It is awarded by the Royal Society of New Zealand in memory of Sir James Hector...
and Prize for his botanical researches. In 1919 he was made an original Fellow of the New Zealand Institute.