BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
245 
members than Henry Denny, who was not only a frequent contributor 
to its "Proceedings," but also acted as assistant secretary from the 
year 1845 up to the time of his death in 1871. 
Henry Denny was born in Norwich, in 1803, and there the early 
part of his life was passed. At an early age he showed a taste for 
natural history pursuits, and coming in contact with Kirby and Curtis, 
and numerous other well-known entomologists then living in the 
neighbourhood of his native country, he soon developed into an 
indefatigable student of entomology. Although in after years his 
surroundings compelled him to extend his attention to all branches 
of natural history, yet, insects, the subjects of his first love, con- 
tinued to hold the foremost place in his affections. The friendship 
of the veteran entomologist, Kirby, was perhaps one of the most 
important features of his youth, and the status which he afterwards 
attained among the entomologists of this country was in no small 
degTee due to the early training and patronage extended to him by 
this distinguished man of science. In 1821 he was for some month's 
Mr. Kirby's guest at Barham Rectory, and it was during this period 
of daily intercourse with the venerable " father of British Entomolo- 
gists" that he received the foundation of his scientific training. 
Mr. Denny's reputation as an entomologist was based chiefly on the 
publication of two original monographs, both of which have been 
regarded as authorities. The first of these, the "Monographia 
Pselaphidarum et Scydm?enidarum Britannite" appeared in 1825, 
when the author was only 22 years of age, and is dedicated to his 
patron, the Rev. W. Kirby. This work was the first distinct notice 
issued from the press of this country bearing upon the groups of 
insects in question. Shortly after the publication of this work 
it happened that the Leeds Philosophical Society decided to appoint 
a Curator to take charge of the Society's Museum which was then in 
embryo, and on the recommendation of several leading scientists of 
that day, including Sir J. E. Smith, (Founder of the Linnean Society), 
Rev. W. Kirby and Mr. Curtis, Mr. Denny was elected to the appoint- 
ment, and came to -Leeds in the summer of 1826. Here he entered 
upon his duties (which were destined to occupy the remainder of his 
life), with that zeal and enthusiasm which can only be exhibited by 
