Gilbert White's biography is very simple. He was born in 

 Selborne, 1 8th July 1720; went to school at Basingstoke, and 

 was admitted at Oriel College, Oxford, in 1739, becoming in 

 turn fellow of his college and senior proctor of the university. 

 Meanwhile he had been ordained, and he held, after his return 

 to Selborne in 1755, a curacy in the neighbouring parish of 

 Faringdon until 1784, when he was appointed curate of Selborne. 

 He continued to reside in Selborne until his death, which took 

 place on the 26th June 1793. He died a bachelor. His Natural 

 History was published in 1789. 



