Edward George Boulenger

Edward George Boulenger ( May 8, 1888 - April 30, 1946 ) was a British herpetologist . As director of the London Zoo Aquarium for many years, he played a key role in its development.

Life

Edward George Boulenger was the son of the herpetologist and ichthyologist George Albert Boulenger . After graduating from St. Paul's School, Boulenger became a curator at the Reptile House at London Zoo in 1911 . During the First World War he served as an observer in the balloon department of the Royal Flying Corps . In 1924 he became director of the newly opened seawater and freshwater aquarium of the Zoological Society of London , the design and construction of which he had actively supported since 1921. In 1923 the herpetologist Joan Beauchamp took over Procter Boulengers curatorial post in the reptile house. When she died in 1931, Burgess Barnett (1888–1944) was her successor until Boulenger took over the reptile house again in 1938. After the outbreak of World War II , Boulenger served as a major on the General Staff of the War Office . In 1943 he resigned from his post as director.

Like other buildings in the London Zoo, the aquarium was damaged by bombs during the war. The freshwater department was able to be restored during Boulenger's lifetime, but the seawater and tropical departments were only rebuilt after his death.

Like his father, Boulenger was a good linguist. He spoke both French and German. This was of particular benefit to him when he made several trips to mainland Europe because of the new acquisitions for the reptile house and the aquarium. Boulenger also worked as an author. His best-known works include A Naturalist at the Dinner Table (1927), A naturalist at the zoo (1927), Animal mysteries (1927), Fishes (1931), The Aquarium (1933), Searchlight on animals (1936) and Apes and monkeys (1936).

literature

• Geoffrey M. Vevers: Mr. EG Boulenger In: Nature 157, p. 724 (June 1, 1946) doi: 10.1038 / 157724a0