William Saville-Kent
Encyclopedia
William Saville-Kent was an English marine biologist.
Born in Sidmouth
, Devon
, his childhood was marred by the death of his mother, the murder of his half-brother and conviction of his sister Constance to twenty years in prison. The detective responsible for the investigation of his half-brother's murder suspected that William was an accomplice, but he never pressed charges. Saville-Kent was educated at King's College London
and then at the Royal School of Mines
under T.H. Huxley. He held various jobs in Britain, including at the British Museum
from 1866 to 1872. In 1869, he became a member of the Zoological Society of London
and in 1873 of the Linnean Society. In 1870, he received a grant from the Royal Society
to conduct a dredging survey off Portugal. He worked at the Brighton Aquarium (1872–1873), then at the Manchester Aquarium (1873–1876). He then worked for various other aquariums before returning to Brighton in 1879. He married in 1872 but his wife died three years later. He remarried in 1876.
On the recommendation of T.H. Huxley, in 1884 he became Inspector of Fisheries in Tasmania
. In 1889, he became Commissioner of Fisheries for Queensland
, and in 1892, Commissioner of Fisheries for Western Australia
, a position he held until 1895. During this time he experimented with culturing pearls; his experiments were a success and modern-day spherical cultured pearls are primarily the result of discoveries he made and that were later patented by Dr. Tokishi Nishikawa of Japan who heard of his techniques. Later, Kent went on to chair the Royal Society of Queensland
in 1889–1890.
He is buried in All Saints' churchyard, Milford on Sea
.
Born in Sidmouth
Sidmouth
Sidmouth is a small town on the English Channel coast in Devon, South West England. The town lies at the mouth of the River Sid in the East Devon district, south east of Exeter. It has a population of about 15,000, of whom 40% are over 65....
, 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 childhood was marred by the death of his mother, the murder of his half-brother and conviction of his sister Constance to twenty years in prison. The detective responsible for the investigation of his half-brother's murder suspected that William was an accomplice, but he never pressed charges. Saville-Kent was educated at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
and then at the Royal School of Mines
Royal School of Mines
Royal School of Mines comprises the departments of Earth Science and Engineering, and Materials at Imperial College London.- History :The Royal School of Mines was established in 1851, as the Government School of Mines and Science Applied to the Arts...
under T.H. Huxley. He held various jobs in Britain, including at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
from 1866 to 1872. In 1869, he became a member 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...
and in 1873 of the Linnean Society. In 1870, he received a grant from 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"...
to conduct a dredging survey off Portugal. He worked at the Brighton Aquarium (1872–1873), then at the Manchester Aquarium (1873–1876). He then worked for various other aquariums before returning to Brighton in 1879. He married in 1872 but his wife died three years later. He remarried in 1876.
On the recommendation of T.H. Huxley, in 1884 he became Inspector of Fisheries in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. In 1889, he became Commissioner of Fisheries for Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, and in 1892, Commissioner of Fisheries for Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, a position he held until 1895. During this time he experimented with culturing pearls; his experiments were a success and modern-day spherical cultured pearls are primarily the result of discoveries he made and that were later patented by Dr. Tokishi Nishikawa of Japan who heard of his techniques. Later, Kent went on to chair the Royal Society of Queensland
Royal Society of Queensland
The Royal Society of Queensland was formed in Queensland, Australia in 1884, with royal patronage granted in 1885.The aim of the Society is "Increasing awareness of natural sciences in Queensland"....
in 1889–1890.
He is buried in All Saints' churchyard, Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea is a large village and civil parish located on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. With a population of approximately 4500, Milford has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs in its high street, which borders the village green.-Overview:Milford on Sea is village...
.
Published works
- A Manual of the Infusoria, 1880, 1881, 1882 (3 Vol.)
- The Great Barrier Reef, 1893
- The Naturalist in Australia, 1897