Robert Patterson (Belfast)
Encyclopedia
Robert Patterson, FRS (1802–1872) was an Irish
businessman and naturalist
born in Belfast
, Ireland
.
. Here he won a prize for an essay on the natural history of Lough Neagh
.
When his father died in 1831, Patterson took over management of the family business, eventually marrying Mary Ferrar, one of whose ancestors had come to Ireland as a captain in Schomburg's
Horse regiment. The newly-weds settled at No. 3 College Square North, Belfast, where most of his 11 children were born.
At 19 Robert Patterson was one of seven young men who, on June 5, 1821, gathered at the house of Dr. James Lawson Drummond
, at No. 5, Chichester Street to form the Belfast Natural History Society
, which established the first museum
in Ireland
to be built by public subscription, at No. 7 College Square North. He served the society, later renamed, for more than fifty years, occupying every office. He was also a member of the Belfast Literary Society
and the Royal Irish Academy
. The Royal Society
elected him a Fellow in 1859 , and he was an early member of the British Association, serving as secretary to the Natural History section.
Established as a significant naturalist in his thirties, Patterson had close links with Charles Darwin
, Thomas Bell
, Edward Forbes
, William Yarrell
and Charles Lucien Bonaparte
. Patterson, FRS, MRIA died at his house in College Square North, Belfast, in February, 1879, after a fall.He is not to be confused with his second son, Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906)
, or with his grandson Robert Patterson (1863-1931)
who were also naturalists.
Patterson also prepared, for the Department of Science and Art
, a series of large coloured diagrams, illustrated by Joseph Wolf
. These were widely used in schools in Britain, Ireland and the United States.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
businessman and naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Biography
The eldest son of Robert Patterson (1750–1831), owner of a mill-furnishing business in Belfast established in 1786, Robert Patterson was born into a wealthy family. He was educated first at the Belfast Academy under the direction of a Dr. Bryce, and then at the Belfast Academical InstitutionRoyal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, is a Grammar School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Locally referred to as Inst, the school educates boys from ages 11–18...
. Here he won a prize for an essay on the natural history of Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
.
When his father died in 1831, Patterson took over management of the family business, eventually marrying Mary Ferrar, one of whose ancestors had come to Ireland as a captain in Schomburg's
Frederick Schomberg, 1st Duke of Schomberg
Friedrich Hermann , 1st Duke of Schomberg , KG , was a marshal of France and a General in the English and Portuguese Army....
Horse regiment. The newly-weds settled at No. 3 College Square North, Belfast, where most of his 11 children were born.
At 19 Robert Patterson was one of seven young men who, on June 5, 1821, gathered at the house of Dr. James Lawson Drummond
James Lawson Drummond
James Lawson Drummond was an Irish physician, naturalist and botanist.Drummond was educated at the Belfast Academy. He received a surgical training at the Belfast Academical Institution and was an apprentice surgeon in the Royal Navy...
, at No. 5, Chichester Street to form the Belfast Natural History Society
Belfast Natural History Society
The Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society was founded in 1821 to promote the scientific study of animals, plants, fossils, rocks and minerals....
, which established the first museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to be built by public subscription, at No. 7 College Square North. He served the society, later renamed, for more than fifty years, occupying every office. He was also a member of the Belfast Literary Society
Belfast Literary Society
The Belfast Literary Society was founded in 1801 and survives as the second oldest learned society in Belfast . Its first meeting was held in the long demolished Exchange Rooms in Belfast on 23 October. Among the 12 founding members were , , , John Templeton, S.M. Stephenson, S.S...
and the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
. The Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
elected him a Fellow in 1859 , and he was an early member of the British Association, serving as secretary to the Natural History section.
Established as a significant naturalist in his thirties, Patterson had close links with Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
, Thomas Bell
Thomas Bell (zoologist)
Thomas Bell FRS was an English zoologist, surgeon and writer, born in Poole, Dorset, UK.Bell, like his mother Susan, took a keen interest in natural history which his mother also encouraged in his younger cousin Philip Henry Gosse. Bell left Poole in 1813 for his training as a dental surgeon in...
, Edward Forbes
Edward Forbes
Professor Edward Forbes FRS, FGS was a Manx naturalist.-Early years:Forbes was born at Douglas, in the Isle of Man. While still a child, when not engaged in reading, or in the writing of verses and drawing of caricatures, he occupied himself with the collecting of insects, shells, minerals,...
, William Yarrell
William Yarrell
William Yarrell was an English bookseller and naturalist.Yarrell is best known as the author of The History of British Fishes and The History of British Birds . The latter went into several editions and was the standard reference work for a generation of British ornithologists...
and Charles Lucien Bonaparte
Charles Lucien Bonaparte
Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte, 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano was a French naturalist and ornithologist.-Biography:...
. Patterson, FRS, MRIA died at his house in College Square North, Belfast, in February, 1879, after a fall.He is not to be confused with his second son, Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906)
Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906)
Robert Lloyd Patterson was an Irish naturalist.He was the second son of Robert Patterson F.R.SA linen merchant he was awarded a knighthood in 1902 for services to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce....
, or with his grandson Robert Patterson (1863-1931)
Robert Patterson (1863-1931)
Robert Patterson was an Irish naturalist.He was the son of Richard Patterson , the grandson of Robert Patterson FRS and the nephew of Robert Lloyd Patterson ....
who were also naturalists.
Books
- Insects Mentioned in Shakespeare's Plays
- A Glossary of Words in Use in the Counties of AntrimCounty AntrimCounty Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and DownCounty Down-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
– a dialect study - 'Zoology for Schools (1846–48).
- Ed.Volume 4 of William Thompson's Natural History of Ireland (1856).
Patterson also prepared, for the Department of Science and Art
Science and Art Department
The Science and Art Department was a British government body which functioned from 1853 to 1899, promoting education in art, science, technology and design in Britain and Ireland....
, a series of large coloured diagrams, illustrated by Joseph Wolf
Joseph Wolf
Joseph Wolf was a German artist who specialized in natural history illustration. He moved to the British Museum in 1848 and became the choice of illustrator for numerous explorers and collectors. He depicted animals accurately in life-like postures and has been considered one of the great pioneers...
. These were widely used in schools in Britain, Ireland and the United States.
External Links
- BHL Introduction to zoology : for the use of schools / by Robert Patterson; with upwards of 330 illustrations and a glossary of scientific terms London Simms and M'Intyre,1848.
- BHL Letters on the natural history of the insects mentioned in Shakespeare's plays : with incidental notices of the entomology of London W. S. Orr & Co.,1838.