George Carter Bignell
Encyclopedia
George Carter Bignell was an eminent entomologist. He was born in Exeter
on 1 March 1826. He left school at the age of 12 to become a bookings clerk but joined the Royal Marines
when he was 16. He joined HMS Superb
, one of the last all-wooden, all-sailing, ships-of-the-line to serve in the Royal Navy
. He saw action in the Portuguese “Little Civil War
” in 1847, as part of a British squadron sent to support Queen Maria II. During his time in the Marines he developed a passion for natural history, especially insects, which he studied whenever he had the chance. He retired after 22 years’ service with the rank of Barrack Sergeant.
Bignell was then appointed Registrar of Births and Deaths, and Poor Law Officer for Stonehouse
in Plymouth
, Devon
. His spare time was devoted to entomology; he scoured the countryside of Devon and Cornwall
looking for specimens and studying them in their habitat. Although he studied and collected a wide range of insects, it was his work with the Ichneumonidae
or parasitic wasps that was outstanding; discovering nineteen species that were entirely new to science, two of which are named after him. He devised the Bignell Beating Tray, a folding screen for collecting insects falling from a beaten branch. In addition to insects, he later researched and collected marine algae.
Bignell was a member of the Plymouth Athenaeum and the Plymouth Institution, of which he became President in 1893, and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London
. He wrote many articles for The Entomologist Magazine, the Young Naturalist and the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution. A large collection of his specimens is held at the Plymouth Museum
and some are at the Natural History Museum
in London. His first two wives predeceased him and he married for a third time in 1874. In 1898, he moved from Stonehouse to Saltash
in Cornwall
. G C Bignell died on his 84th birthday in 1910. He was survived by three daughters.
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
on 1 March 1826. He left school at the age of 12 to become a bookings clerk but joined the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
when he was 16. He joined HMS Superb
HMS Superb (1842)
HMS Superb was a two-deck 80-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 6 September 1842 at Pembroke Dockyard.She was one of the Vanguard class, designed by Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy and an innovative and controversial naval architect...
, one of the last all-wooden, all-sailing, ships-of-the-line to serve in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. He saw action in the Portuguese “Little Civil War
Patuleia
The Patuleia, Guerra da Patuleia, or Little Civil War was a civil war in Portugal, so called to distinguish it from the 'great' civil war between Dom Pedro IV and Dom Miguel that ended in 1834. The Patuleia occurred after the Revolution of Maria da Fonte, and was closely associated with her...
” in 1847, as part of a British squadron sent to support Queen Maria II. During his time in the Marines he developed a passion for natural history, especially insects, which he studied whenever he had the chance. He retired after 22 years’ service with the rank of Barrack Sergeant.
Bignell was then appointed Registrar of Births and Deaths, and Poor Law Officer for Stonehouse
Stonehouse, Plymouth
East Stonehouse is one of three towns that were amalgamated into modern-day Plymouth. West Stonehouse was a village that is within the current Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall...
in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. His spare time was devoted to entomology; he scoured the countryside of Devon and Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
looking for specimens and studying them in their habitat. Although he studied and collected a wide range of insects, it was his work with the Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae
Ichneumonidae is a family within the insect order Hymenoptera. Insects in this family are commonly called ichneumon wasps. Less exact terms are ichneumon flies , or scorpion wasps due to the extreme lengthening and curving of the abdomen...
or parasitic wasps that was outstanding; discovering nineteen species that were entirely new to science, two of which are named after him. He devised the Bignell Beating Tray, a folding screen for collecting insects falling from a beaten branch. In addition to insects, he later researched and collected marine algae.
Bignell was a member of the Plymouth Athenaeum and the Plymouth Institution, of which he became President in 1893, and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London
Royal Entomological Society of London
The Royal Entomological Society of London is devoted to insect study. It has a major national and international role in disseminating information about insects and improving communication between entomologists....
. He wrote many articles for The Entomologist Magazine, the Young Naturalist and the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution. A large collection of his specimens is held at the Plymouth Museum
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in the Drake Circus area of Plymouth, Devon, England is the largest museum and art gallery in the city. It was built in 1907-10 by Thornely and Rooke in Edwardian Baroque style. Its interior was restored in 1954 after being gutted in The Blitz.The Museum has...
and some are at the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
in London. His first two wives predeceased him and he married for a third time in 1874. In 1898, he moved from Stonehouse to Saltash
Saltash
Saltash is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a population of 14,964. It lies in the south east of Cornwall, facing Plymouth over the River Tamar. It was in the Caradon district until March 2009 and is known as "the gateway to Cornwall". Saltash means ash tree by...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. G C Bignell died on his 84th birthday in 1910. He was survived by three daughters.