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GEOEGE BOWDLEK BUCKTON, 1818—1905. 



In his address to the Koyal Society in November, 1905, the then President, 

 Sir William Huggins, reported among the year's losses the death of George 

 Bowdler Buckton, who " to the deep grief of a large circle of friends, passed 

 away at the ripe age of 88, leaving behind him a noble example of unwearied 

 devotion to the successful prosecution of scientific work, notwithstanding 

 great physical infirmity." 



Most men who attain to scientific eminence find the study of a single 

 branch of science, or of one or two allied branches, sufficient to occupy a 

 lifetime. It is comparatively seldom that the same man is able (like 

 Buckton) to pursue with success two such dissimilar studies as Chemistry 

 and Entomology. There was also another unusual feature in his scientific 

 career. Most men who occupy themselves with Entomology and kindred 

 pursuits do so chiefly in their younger days, and more or less abandon the 

 study in later life, whereas Buckton, though always interested in Natural 

 History, devoted his earlier years to Chemistry and Physics, and the latter 

 half of his long life to the preparation of his valuable works on Entomology. 



Born in or near London, on May 24, 1818, and brought up at Oakfield, 

 Hornsey, Buckton was the eldest son of a large family. His father, George 

 Buckton, was Proctor of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and his 

 mother, Eliza, was the daughter of Eichard Merricks, of Chichester, Deputy 

 Lieutenant of the County. 



At about the age of five years, Buckton sustained an accident which 

 permanently crippled him, a misfortune which he bore throughout life with 

 courage and silence, but which must have been peculiarly painful to a man 

 of his large build and energetic temperament. Nevertheless, it is probable 

 that if he had been able to lead a more active life, he would not have had 

 the same opportunities of carrying on his scientific pursuits so steadily 

 and successfully. 



As Buckton's infirmity unfitted him for public school and University life, 

 he received tuition from the Eev. Oliver Lodge, Eector of Barking, and the 

 Eev. Dr. Meuse, formerly Headmaster of the Cholmondeley School. He was 

 popular with his class-mates, shared their escapades, and was often carried 

 pick-a-back by some stronger comrade on daring excursions. Necessarily 

 left much to his own resources, he became a good classical scholar and 

 an extensive reader. He also devoted himself successfully to music and 

 painting, which remained his favourite recreations throughout life. He 

 showed much ingenuity in the construction of appliances to illustrate his 

 youthful lectures on scientific subjects. 



While still scarcely more than a boy, Buckton made the acquaintance of 

 Thomas Bell, who proved his close friend for more than 40 years, and by 

 whose encouragement he became an earnest student of Natural History, 

 beginning to form collections and make observations on bees, butterflies, 



