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William MacGillivray was essentially a scientist, who used illustration to support his work. He combined the knowledge of a field scientist, with that of an anatomist and felt it was essential to know both the internal and external characteristics of any animal. He was a pioneer of an ecological approach to natural history and is credited with writing the first ecology paper in the UK is 1833.
Orphaned at the age of three, MacGillivray was taken to live with his uncle on the island of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides. He flourished on his uncle's farm and took part in every aspect of farm life and local society. At first he was educated locally but by the age of eleven he was sent to school in Aberdeen and started at the university there the following year. He returned regularly to Harris throughout his teenage years and spent hours observing and investigating wildlife.
MacGillivray's medical studies had introduced him to botany. His own inclination towards natural history introduced him to zoology and geology. By abandoning a medical career MacGillivray offered himself to a life of uncertainty. However he was committed to science and his visit to the bird galleries of the British Museum (later the Natural History Museum) confirmed his ambition to become an ornithologist.
MacGillivray had no social connections to help advance his career and so was employed for twenty years in a series of supportive roles. However this did not prevent him from undertaking his own independent studies. He published the first of many papers in 1819; his topics ranged right across the natural sciences. However he increasingly concentrated attention on birds combining the knowledge of a field naturalist with that of an anatomist. MacGillivray's History of British Birds gave a detailed account of the anatomy of birds alongside insights into their behaviour, but was dismissed by the scientific establishment of the day.
The books were heavily criticised for aping the letter text that accompanied Audubon's Birds of America (which MacGillivray had been employed by Audubon to write!) MacGillivray was never reconciled with his critics, however Audubon increasingly acknowledged his work as did Darwin in later years.
MacGillivray enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. He gave public lectures, wrote newspaper articles and led field trips to introduce newcomers to natural history. He wrote and revised textbooks, which were popular with students, but never seemed to reap any financial reward for his work. However his ability was finally recognised when he was appointed Regius Professor of Civil and Natural History at Aberdeen in 1841. He was finally in his element and revelled in introducing his students to the natural world. He even wrote a key to molluscs of the local area to enable his students to undertake fieldwork during the winter when the weather too harsh to venture far from the city. He was popular with students who organised and contributed to his memorial.
Issued by Communications Office, External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen.
Tel: (01224) 272013 Fax: (01224) 272086. Contact: Emma Darling
- Issued by
-
The Communications Team
Directorate of External Relations,
University of Aberdeen,
King's College,
Aberdeen
- Issued on
- 18 March 2004
