Gilbert White is the first birdwatcher and naturalist in the modern sense, and is known as the father of modern birdwatching. His most famous work, The Natural History of Selborne, is a collection of correspondence between him and two friends who are scientists in London. This book raises the observation of wild animals to the height of aesthetics and philosophy.

Chinese name: Gilbert White

Gilbert white

Nationality: UK

Occupation: pastor

Masterpiece: Selborne's Natural History.

The life of the character

Gilbert White (Kloc-0/720 ~1793), a British priest, is often called the first ecologist in Britain.

Although White is a country priest, he often writes letters to other natural historians. It is on the basis of these letters that he wrote his only book, Natural History of Selborne. He recorded the life of animals and plants in this area and observed the living habits and living environment of birds by describing the small rural parish and adjacent parishes where he lived. At that time, people thought that there was only one kind of leaf warbler in Britain, but he found three different kinds of English leaf warbler. He also suggested that domestic pigeons were developed from primitive pigeons, which was once used by CharlesRobertDarwin to illustrate his theory of evolution. In addition, White also recorded bird migration and other climate-related phenomena, as well as folk life, farming and archaeology.

1743, White received a bachelor's degree from Oriel College, Oxford University. The following year, he became a scholar at Oxford University and obtained a master's degree of 1746. He then worked as an assistant priest in Swaratton and was appointed as a priest three years later. Because he has always been partial to Selborne, and hopes that his place of work is not far from his family's former residence "Vickers" in Selborne, this appointment not only enables him to explore the countryside near his hometown, but also gives him the opportunity to pursue his interest in natural history. White built his own garden and kept a garden log. In addition, he recorded the growth of wild flowers and indicated their planting and flowering time.

White's influence is far-reaching. His works have about 200 English versions and reprints. His former residence "Vickers" is also open to the public, which displays the manuscript of his book "Natural History of Selborne".