Author Description
Gilbert White spent most of his life as curate of Selborne and in 1751 began to keep his recorded, detailed observations of wild life and nature. This book is based on a selection of passages from these works. John Commander has chosen passages from "The Garden Kalender" and "The Naturalist's Journal" and arranged them within the framework of the year. The book is illustrated wih watercolours and engravings, including views of Selbourne commissioned by White from Samuel Hieronymus Grimm in 1766 and some reproductions of Thomas Bewick. The book is introduced by Richard Mabey, author of many books including "Food For Free; Gilbert A biography", which won the 1986 Whitbread prize for biography and "The Gardener's Labyrinth".
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the seasonal rhythms of the English countryside through the meticulous observational records of an 18th-century curate. The author, Gilbert White, utilized his position in Selborne to document the minutiae of local flora and fauna over several decades. By curating entries from his personal journals, the text provides a structured chronological account of natural phenomena as they occurred throughout the calendar year.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Chronological observations of wildlife and botanical cycles
- Historical context regarding 18th-century rural life in Selborne
- Archival illustrations including watercolours by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm and engravings by Thomas Bewick
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a modern scientific analysis of the species mentioned
- It does not cover geographical regions outside of the immediate vicinity of Selborne
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this collection as a significant primary source for understanding the development of natural history observation in England. Readers frequently note the accessible yet detailed nature of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those interested in the history of environmental writing.
Page Count:
134
Publication Date:
1982-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192813544
ISBN-13:
9780192813541
Biography
Nature
Natural history
Diaries
Naturalists
18th century