Terence Morrison-Scott
Encyclopedia
Sir Terence Charles Stuart Morrison-Scott DSC DSc FMA (1908–1991) was a British zoologist who was Director of the Science Museum
and the British Museum of Natural History in London
, England
.
Terence Morrison-Scott was educated at Eton College
, Christ Church, Oxford
, and the Royal College of Science
. He rowed at Eton and Oxford
, winning the Silver Sculls at Oxford. He graduated from the RCS in 1935 with a first class degree and then worked briefly as an assistant master at Eton (1935–36).
Morrison-Scott was appointed as an Assistant Keeper (2nd class) in Department of Zoology at the British Museum of Natural History on 1 October 1936. During World War II
, he was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and commanded a flotilla of tank landing craft during D-Day
in Normandy
, earning the Distinguished Service Cross
(DCS). He was promoted to Assistant Keeper (1st class) in 1943. He became the Head of the Mammal Section in 1945 and Principal Scientific Officer in 1948. From 1956–1960, he was Director of the Science Museum. Then from 1960 he was Director British Museum of Natural History until his retirement on 30 November 1968.
He was Honorary Treasurer of the Zoological Society of London
(1950–76). He was a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum
(1956–60), He was a governor of the Imperial College of Science and Technology (1956–72) and was elected a Fellow in 1963. He was a Council member of the National Trust
(1968–83) and a member of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries (1973–76).
He was a Fellow of the Museums Association
and was knighted for his services.
Terence Morrison-Scott married Rita Layton in 1935.
Science Museum (London)
The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
and the British Museum of Natural History in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Terence Morrison-Scott was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, 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...
, and the Royal College of Science
Royal College of Science
The Royal College of Science was a higher education institution located in South Kensington; it was a constituent college of Imperial College London from 1907 until it was wholly absorbed by Imperial in 2002. Alumni include H. G. Wells and Brian May and are distinguishable by the letters ARCS ...
. He rowed at Eton and Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, winning the Silver Sculls at Oxford. He graduated from the RCS in 1935 with a first class degree and then worked briefly as an assistant master at Eton (1935–36).
Morrison-Scott was appointed as an Assistant Keeper (2nd class) in Department of Zoology at the British Museum of Natural History on 1 October 1936. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and commanded a flotilla of tank landing craft during D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, earning the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
(DCS). He was promoted to Assistant Keeper (1st class) in 1943. He became the Head of the Mammal Section in 1945 and Principal Scientific Officer in 1948. From 1956–1960, he was Director of the Science Museum. Then from 1960 he was Director British Museum of Natural History until his retirement on 30 November 1968.
He was Honorary Treasurer 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...
(1950–76). He was a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
(1956–60), He was a governor of the Imperial College of Science and Technology (1956–72) and was elected a Fellow in 1963. He was a Council member of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
(1968–83) and a member of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries (1973–76).
He was a Fellow of the Museums Association
Museums Association
The Museums Association is a professional organisation based in London for museum professionals and museums in the United Kingdom.The association is the oldest museum association in the world and was started in 1889 by a small group of museums to protect the interests of museums and galleries...
and was knighted for his services.
Terence Morrison-Scott married Rita Layton in 1935.
Publications
- Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946 / by J.R. Ellerman and T.C.S. Morrison-Scott. London: BM (NH), 1951.
- Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946 / by J.R. Ellerman and T.C.S. Morrison-Scott. London: BM (NH), 1966.
- A list of British mammals [by] T.C.S. Morrison-Scott Published London, Printed by order of the trustees of the British Museum, 1952.
- Southern African mammals, 1758–1951: a reclassification, by J. R. Ellerman, T. C. S. Morrison-Scott, and R. W. Hayman, 1909–1973 Published London: Printed by order of the trustees of the British Museum, 1953.