CHAPTER III 



AS DIRECTOR OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 

 [1884-1898] 



ON the resignation in 1884 by Sir Richard Owen of 

 the post of Superintendent of the Natural History 

 Departments of the British Museum, which four years 

 previously had been transferred to the magnificent 

 new building in the Cromwell Road, officially known 

 as the British Museum (Natural History), but more 

 commonly designated the Natural History Museum, 

 it was felt by all competent to form an adequate opinion 

 on the subject that Professor Flower was the one man 

 specially and peculiarly fitted for the post. And 

 accordingly, in the course of the year in question, he 

 was duly appointed to that most important and influential 

 position, which may be regarded as conferring upon its 

 occupant the status of the leading official zoologist 

 in the British Empire. It was in this position that 

 Flower became most widely known to the general 

 public ; and here that he received the honours, firstly 

 of C.B., and later on K.C.B., conferred upon him by his 

 Sovereign. 



At the date when Sir William (then Professor) 

 assumed the reins of office, the position of Director of 

 the Natural History Museum was of a somewhat 

 anomalous and peculiar nature. At that time (as now) 

 the administration of the museum was divided into 

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