Edmund Selous

Edmund Selous (14 August 1857 – 25 March 1934) was a British ornithologist and writer. He was the younger brother of big-game hunter Frederick Selous.

Early Life and Education

Selous was born in London, England, on August 14, 1857. He was the second son of Frederick Lokes Selous, a stockbroker, and Ann Holgate Sherborn Selous. Selous had a privileged upbringing and was educated at private schools. He went on to study law at Cambridge University, but he left without a degree to pursue his interest in natural history.

Career

Selous began his career as a conventional naturalist, but he developed a hatred of the killing of animals for scientific study. He became a pioneer of bird-watching as a method of scientific study and was a strong proponent of non-destructive bird-study as opposed to the collection of skins and eggs.

Selous wrote extensively about birds and other natural history topics. He published his first book, An Observational Diary of the Habits—Mostly Domestic—of the Great Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus) [and of the Peewit (Vanellus vulgaris), with Some General Remarks], in 1901. He also wrote several other books on birds, including Bird Watching (1901), The Bird Watcher in the Marsh (1905), and The Bird Life of the British Isles (1907).

In addition to his books on birds, Selous also wrote about other aspects of natural history, including The Romance of the Insect World (1906) and The Wild Life of the World (1909). He also wrote poetry and fiction.

Philosophy

Selous was a passionate advocate for the protection of wildlife. He believed that animals have intrinsic value and should not be killed for sport or for scientific study. He was also a critic of the industrialization of the countryside, which he believed was destroying the habitat of many wild animals.

Death and Remembrance

Selous died on March 25, 1934, at the age of 76. He is remembered as one of the pioneers of bird-watching and as a passionate advocate for the protection of wildlife.

Notable Works

• An Observational Diary of the Habits—Mostly Domestic—of the Great Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus) [and of the Peewit (Vanellus vulgaris), with Some General Remarks] (1901)
• Bird Watching (1901)
• The Bird Watcher in the Marsh (1905)
• The Bird Life of the British Isles (1907)
• The Romance of the Insect World (1906)
• The Wild Life of the World (1909)

Interesting Fact

Selous was a close friend of the writer and poet H.G. Wells. Wells was a regular visitor to Selous's home in Weymouth, England, and he wrote about Selous in his autobiography.

Conclusion

Edmund Selous was a British ornithologist and writer who made significant contributions to the field of bird-watching. He was also a passionate advocate for the protection of wildlife. Selous is remembered for his books on birds, his poetry, and his friendship with H.G. Wells.