John Keast Lord
John Keast Lord was an English naturalist and veterinary surgeon born in 1818, known for his significant contributions to the study of biology and nature. In 1858, he became the assistant naturalist to the Northwest Boundary Commission, where he played a crucial role in marking the forty-ninth parallel boundary in North America. Over four years, he collected a wealth of biological specimens, including various animals, insects, and plants, many of which were later displayed at the British Museum. Lord authored two notable books on the flora and fauna of British Columbia: "Notes on Two New Species of Mammals" (1863) and "The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia" (1866). Additionally, he contributed to the naturalist journal "Land and Water" and collaborated with renowned biologist Charles Darwin. His widely read work, "At Home in the Wilderness," published in 1867, offered guidance for navigating wilderness challenges and saw commercial success. Later in life, Lord managed an aquarium in Brighton until his passing in December 1872. His legacy is also reflected in the naming of two mollusk species, although the evidence for this naming remains unverified.
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John Keast Lord
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- Born: 1818
- Birthplace: Cornwall, England
- Died: December 9, 1872
- Place of death: Briton, England
Biography
John Keast Lord was born in in England in 1818. He was a student of nature and biology as well as a veterinary surgeon. In 1858, after British Columbia was established as a colony, Lord was appointed to the position of assistant naturalist to the Northwest Boundary Commission. The commission was sent to mark the forty-ninth parallel boundary from the Rocky Mountains to the west coast of North American. He held this job for four years, and during this time collected numerous biological specimens, including animals, insects, and plant life, which were later preserved and put on display in the British Museum. Lord published his observations on the plants and animals of British Columbia in two books: Notes on Two New Species of Mammals (1863), and The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia (1866).
In 1866, Lord contributed articles to the naturalist journal, Land and Water. He also conducted some research in Egypt and served as a correspondent on biology and nature with Charles Darwin. In 1867, he published At Home in the Wilderness: Being Full of Instructions How to Get Along, and to Surmount All Difficulties by the Way. At Home in the Wilderness was commercially successful and had three printings. Later in his life, Lord returned to England, where he managed an aquarium in Brighton. He started the aquarium job only four months before his death in December, 1872.
Two species of mollusks, Turbonilla lordi, a gastropod, and Psephidia lordi, a bivalve, were believed to be named in honor of Lord’s dedication and work with nature. The bivalve received its name in 1863, while the gastropod was named in 1880. However, the rumor that these creatures were named for Lord remains unsubstantiated.