OBITUARY: Dr. J. W. B. GUNNING 
We regret to announce the death of the Director of the Transvaal 
Museum, Dr. J. W. B. Gunning, at the comparatively young age of 
fifty-two. 
Born in Holland, on the 3rd September, 1860, at Hilversum, the 
second son of the late Professor Dr. J. H. Gunning of the University of 
Leiden, Dr. Gunning received his education in Holland and Germany, at 
the Universities of Amsterdam, Leiden, and Jena, taking his M.D. Degree 
at the last named university. 
In 1884 he came to South Africa where he practised medicine. From 
his youth he had always been devoted to the study of natural history ; 
but not until 1896 when he was appointed Director to the Transvaal 
Museum was he able to give his full time to the study of the fauna of 
this country. 
When still a student his principle hobby was entomology and 
ornithology, and he received a medal of merit through the agency of the 
Leiden Museum authorities for a collection of birds and insects. 
As Director of this Institution, Dr. Gunning started in 1898 by 
collecting live animals, and some ten different species formed the nucleus 
of the present Zoological Gardens. Through his own strenuous efforts 
and by the assistance of a sympathetic Committee this humble beginning 
has grown into not only the finest Zoological Garden of South Africa, but 
into one which would compare favourably with most of the older “Zoos” 
in other parts of the world. It was mainly due to the late Director’s 
unflagging energy that the collections contained in this Museum have 
grown during his term of office to such an extent, that the late Transvaal 
Government, on representations made by the Committee of the Museum, 
provided a new building to house these valuable collections. This 
magnificent building was finished some time ago, and it is much to be 
regretted that Dr. Gunning was not destined to move and arrange the 
collections in their new and more fitting quarters. 
However, the Museum now in use and the Zoological Gardens will 
remain as a lasting monument to the name of one who gave the best part 
of his life to the furtherance of the study of natural science in South 
Africa. 
Dr. Gunning’s scientific writings were not numerous; the greater 
part of his time was absorbed in the administration of both institutions 
and in enlarging the collections : this prevented him from paying such 
attention to working out scientific problems as had been his constant wish 
and ambition. 
Dr. Gunning was a life Vice-President of the Transvaal Agricultural 
Union. Owing to his services rendered in this connection and to 
his keen interest in agriculture, the French Government were induced to 
bestow on him the order of the “Chevalier du Merite Agricole.” He was 
also one of the founders of the South African Ornithological Union and of 
the Transvaal Philosophical Society : and of both lie held the office of 
President and Vice-President on several occasions. 
[MO] 
