Indian Ornithology, British Botany and Allan Octavian Hume (1829-1912): the Scientific Legacy of a Founder of the Indian National Congress
2012 is the centenary of the death of Allan Octavian Hume (1829-1912) - Indian ornithologist extraordinaire, enlightened administrator in the Indian Civil Service, early leading light of the Indian National Congress and founder of the South London Botanical Institute – but a man strangely little known and appreciated today.
On Tuesday, 23 October 2012, the Natural History Museum (NHM) and the South London Botanical Institute, supported by the Linnean Society of London and the British Ornithologists’ Club, are planning a one-day conference in the Flett Theatre, NHM, entitled Indian Ornithology, British Botany and Allan Octavian Hume (1829-1912): the Scientific Legacy of a Founder of the Indian National Congress
The conference will focus on Hume’s scientific achievements and legacy, but set in the context of his wider life and initiatives in Indian administration and politics. Among the nine speakers will be Professor Edward Moulton (University of Manitoba), doyen of Hume studies and co-editor of the projected multi-volume Selected Writings of Allan Octavian Hume (Oxford University Press).
Individuals booking for the conference will also at that time have the opportunity to apply for places to make behind-the-scenes tours of the South London Botanical Institute (on Monday, 22 October) and the bird research collections of the Natural History Museum at Tring (on Wednesday, 24 October) to view aspects of the botanical and ornithological legacy of Hume. In addition to the timed guided tours, visitors to the SLBI will be able to view the garden and obtain refreshments. At the NHM at Tring, the free public museum will be open from 10.00 – 17.00.
Organisers for this event are:
- Robert Prys-Jones, Natural History Museum: r.prys-jones(at)nhm.ac.uk
- Honor Gay, Natural History Museum: h.gay(at)nhm.ac.uk
- Roy Vickery, South London Botanical Institute: vickery330(at)btinternet.com