Louis Fraser
Encyclopedia
Louis Fraser was a British
zoologist
and collector. In his early years Fraser was Curator of the Museum of the Zoological Society of London
. He participated in the Niger River Expedition as the African Civilization Society's scientist on Allen
and Thomson
's 1841–1842 Expedition. Upon his return he became in charge of Lord Derby
's collection at Knowsley Hall
. He wrote Zoologica Typica, or figures of the new and rare animals and birds in the collection of the Zoological Society of London, a lavishly illustrated large-sized book, published in 1849. In this book he described a large number of new species of birds. In 1850, Fraser was appointed Consul of Quidah, Dahomey (now Benin), West Africa. In 1859, he collected birds and mammals in Ecuador for Philip Lutley Sclater of the Zoological Society of London, and the year after in California. Upon his return to London, he opened a shop in Regent Street, London, selling exotic birds. The last years of his life he spent in America.
A number of species have been named in his honour, including Fraser's Eagle-Owl
, Bubo poensis, Fraser's Warbler
, Basileuterus fraseri and Fraser's Musk Shrew
, Crocidura poensis.
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
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
and collector. In his early years Fraser was Curator of the Museum 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...
. He participated in the Niger River Expedition as the African Civilization Society's scientist on Allen
William Allen (admiral)
Rear-Admiral William Allen FRS was an English naval officer and explorer.Allen was born in Weymouth, Dorset and entered the Royal Navy....
and Thomson
Thomas Richard Heywood Thomson
Thomas Richard Heywood Thomson was an English explorer and naturalistIn 1841 -1842 Thomson was a member of an expedition to Niger, usually referred to as the Thomson expedition. He is the author of Allen's Gallinule.-Works:...
's 1841–1842 Expedition. Upon his return he became in charge of Lord Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby KG , styled Lord Stanley from 1776 to 1832 and known as The Lord Stanley from 1832 to 1834, was an English politician, landowner, builder, farmer, art collector and naturalist...
's collection at Knowsley Hall
Knowsley Hall
Knowsley Hall is a stately home near Liverpool within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, in Merseyside, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building, and is the ancestral home of the Stanley family, the Earls of Derby. The hall is surrounded by of...
. He wrote Zoologica Typica, or figures of the new and rare animals and birds in the collection of the Zoological Society of London, a lavishly illustrated large-sized book, published in 1849. In this book he described a large number of new species of birds. In 1850, Fraser was appointed Consul of Quidah, Dahomey (now Benin), West Africa. In 1859, he collected birds and mammals in Ecuador for Philip Lutley Sclater of the Zoological Society of London, and the year after in California. Upon his return to London, he opened a shop in Regent Street, London, selling exotic birds. The last years of his life he spent in America.
A number of species have been named in his honour, including Fraser's Eagle-Owl
Fraser's Eagle-owl
The Fraser's Eagle-Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.-References:*...
, Bubo poensis, Fraser's Warbler
Grey-and-gold Warbler
The Grey-and-gold Warbler is a species of bird in the Parulidae family.It is found in Ecuador and Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Aspects of the Grey-and-gold Warbler's breeding biology were recently described by...
, Basileuterus fraseri and Fraser's Musk Shrew
Fraser's Musk Shrew
The Fraser's Musk Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:*...
, Crocidura poensis.