William Henry Flower
- Born:
- November 30, 1831, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England
- Died:
- July 1, 1899, London (aged 67)
- Subjects Of Study:
- mammal
- comparative anatomy
Who was William Henry Flower?
What was William Henry Flower’s role at the British Museum?
What books did William Henry Flower author?
What honors did William Henry Flower receive during his career?
William Henry Flower (born November 30, 1831, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England—died July 1, 1899, London) was an English anatomist, zoologist, and museum director who made contributions to structural anthropology and the comparative anatomy of mammals. As director of the Natural History department of the British Museum [now the Natural History Museum], he improved exhibition practices by focusing on clear labeling and educational displays.
Early life and education
William Henry Flower was the second of three sons of Edward Fordham Flower, a brewer, and Celina Greaves. Flower was educated at private schools before enrolling at University of London (now University College London) to study medicine. He received his medical degree (M.B.) in 1851. In 1854 he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS).
Career and contributions
Medical service and early scientific work
In 1854 Flower served as an assistant surgeon during the Crimean War. After being wounded, he was discharged from active service and returned to London, where he became a member of the surgical staff at Middlesex Hospital. In 1861 he was appointed curator of the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and in 1870 he succeeded biologist Thomas Henry Huxley as the Hunterian museum professor of comparative anatomy and physiology.
Scientific contributions
Flower authored several books, including the following:
- Diagrams of the Nerves of the Human Body (1861)
- An Introduction to the Osteology of the Mammalia (1870)
- An Introduction to the Study of Mammals Living and Extinct (1891, with Richard Lydekker)
- The Horse: A Study in Natural History (1892)
- Essays on Museums and Other Subjects (1898)
Flower contributed to the study of mammalian anatomy, especially in the classification and comparative structure of whales, marsupials, and primates. He was the first scientist to demonstrate that lemurs belong within the primate order. He used fossil evidence to argue for the gradual modification of species, supporting the theory of evolution by descent. He advanced the understanding of mammalian skeletal structure through An Introduction to the Osteology of the Mammalia (1870). In anthropology Flower conducted cranial measurements, studying more than 1,300 human skulls to examine anatomical variation across populations.
Director of the Natural History Museum
In 1884 Flower was appointed director of the British Museum department of Natural History in South Kensington, succeeding anatomist and paleontologist Richard Owen. During his tenure as director he revolutionized the art of museum display. Flower focused on clear, organized displays with labeled specimens, aiming to make scientific knowledge accessible and engaging to the general public. Among his notable projects was the Index Collection, designed to show the major groups of plants and animals and the natural factors shaping their development. An educational exhibit within the museum’s Central Hall, the Index Collection reflected Flower’s belief that successful education in museums requires expertise and the ability to explain complex subjects clearly and visually.
Honors and retirement
Over the course of his career Flower was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in 1864 and awarded the Royal Medal in 1882. In recognition of his service to science and education, he was knighted in 1892. Flower retired from the museum in 1898 because of declining health and died the following year in London.