Edwards, Henry, 1830-1891

Actor, entomologist.

From the description of Henry Edwards collection of entomological correspondence, 1854-1891, 1862-1891 (bulk) (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155485143

Henry Edwards was an actor and amateur entomologist who amassed a collection of over 250,000 specimens of Lepidoptera, one of the finest in the United States. His total collection, including other insects, numbered close to 300,000 specimens, and was acquired by the American Museum of Natural History after his death.

Edwards was born in England and pursued a career in the theater, becoming a tragedian and traveling on four continents. Edwards collected as he traveled: first beetles (Coleoptera), then Lepidoptera for his own collection; also insects, plants and shells for other collectors. He served briefly as vice president of the California Academy of Sciences and was an editor of Papilio, the journal of the New York Entomological Club, from 1881 through 1883. Edwards was interested in taxonomy in addition to collecting. He corresponded widely with other entomologists, exchanging specimens and consulting on classification. Most of his published works on entomology concerned the Lepidoptera of North America.

William Henry Edwards was a businessman and amateur entomologist, also studying the Lepidoptera of North America.

W.H. Edwards was born in Hunter, N.Y. He became president of the Ohio and Kanawha Coal Co. and devoted his spare time to Lepidoptera. He collected and cataloged specimens, consulting extensively with Henry Edwards, and produced several works on North American butterflies. His collection of Lepidoptera was purchased by the Carnegie Museum.

From the description of Papers, 1854-1897 (bulk 1862-1891). (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 55953856