July-Aug.. 1919. The Irish Naturalist. 81 



WILLIAM SPOTSWOOD GREEN, 



C.B., M.A. 



One of the most remarkable figures in the ranks of Irish 

 science and one of its most stimulating personalities has 

 lately passed away. The death of the Rev. W. S. Green, 

 on April 22nd, is a great loss to Ireland and to his many 

 friends. He was one of those gifted men who succeeded 

 in making the meaning of science and research understood 

 by the uneducated, and he was no less well-known in his 

 native country by his unusual versatility and charm of 

 manner. 



He was born at Youghal in the county of Cork, on 

 September loth, 1847. After preliminary education he 

 passed to Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated B.A. 

 in 1871, and M.A. in 1874. By profession a clergyman, 

 the sea, sea-faring and love of adventure and exploration 

 exerted an extraordinary influence on his career. In his 

 youth and even in his student days, the summer holidays 

 were spent in sailing and fishing in Youghal Bay and in 

 trawling on the south coast generally. By the time he 

 was appointed Rector of Carrigaline (in 1878) in the county 

 Cork he was an accomplished fisherman and knew all about 

 the sea, including fish and fisheries. As he then lived 

 close to the sea among fishermen he was thoroughly 

 acquainted with their requirements and needs. He never 

 failed them with his good advice and thus became a 

 well-known figure among the craft on the south coast. 

 But his vocation was altogether too monotonous for him. 

 His restless nature longed for the boundless ocean and 

 extensive travels. Whenever he could get away he readily 

 took the opportunity of visiting foreign countries. It was 

 in Norway and Switzerland that he acquired the taste for 

 mountain climbing. He longed to visit some unexplored 

 mountain region where he could test his skill and endurance. 

 And at last he found what was in his mind, a combination 

 of ocean travel and adventure, namely. New Zealand. 

 Having ascertained that the famous Mount Cook had never 

 been ascended by anyone, he determined to try his luck. 

 He set out in November, 1881, accompanied by two 



