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1871 Richard Owen on megatherium fossil
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1871 Richard Owen on megatherium fossil
Richard Owen (20 July 1804- 18 December 1892) 1871 engraving by Frederick Waddy republished 1873 in " Cartoon Portraits and Biographical sketches of Men of the Day". Owen was a comparative anatomist and palaeontologist who became one of the most famous and politically influential biologists of the era. His achievements included coining the word Dinosauria (1841/1842), and establishing the new British Museum of Natural History at South Kensington (1881). His scientific legacy is more limited and he developed a famous antagonism towards those who advocated evolution by natural selection (Huxley in particular). Owen was earlier a friend of Darwin completing the report on Darwins fossils for the Zoology of the Beagle Voyages (including the giant ground sloth Mylodon). He also wrote on the Giant ground Sloth megatherium, the hobby which he rides here
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6317995
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
Anatomist Archetype Beagle British Biologist British Museum Of Natural History Caricature Cartoon Comparative Anatomy Darwin Enemy Darwin Fossils Dinosaur Fossils Huxley Megatherium Mylodon Palaeontologist Richard Owen Sloth Victorian Zoologist
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This print captures Richard Owen, a renowned comparative anatomist and palaeontologist, in 1871. Engraved by Frederick Waddy and later republished in "Cartoon Portraits and Biographical sketches of Men of the Day" in 1873, this artwork showcases Owen's significant contributions to the field of biology during his era. Owen's accomplishments were vast; he coined the term Dinosauria in 1841/1842 and played a crucial role in establishing the prestigious British Museum of Natural History at South Kensington in 1881. However, despite his scientific achievements, Owen developed a well-known animosity towards proponents of evolution by natural selection, particularly directed at Huxley. Interestingly enough, prior to their falling out over differing views on evolution, Owen was actually friends with Charles Darwin. He completed an influential report on Darwin's fossils for the Zoology of the Beagle Voyages project and extensively studied fascinating creatures like the giant ground sloth Mylodon. In this illustration from Paul D. Stewart's collection, we see Owen riding atop a hobbyhorse made from bones belonging to the Giant Ground Sloth Megatherium - one of his areas of expertise. The image beautifully captures both his passion for anatomy as well as his larger-than-life personality. Richard Owen remains an iconic figure within Victorian science – an archetype representing both brilliance and controversy. This print serves as a testament to his lasting impact on comparative anatomy, palaeontology, and our understanding of prehistoric life.
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