Herbert James Carter
H. J. Carter | |
|---|---|
| Born | Herbert James Carter April 23, 1858 Marlborough, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | April 16, 1940 (aged 81) Sydney, Australia |
| Education | Aldenham School |
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Cambridge |
| Known for | Describing over 50 new genera and 1,200 species of beetles |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Entomology (specializing in Coleoptera) |
| Workplaces | Sydney Grammar School Ascham School Australian Museum |
| H.J.Carter | |
Herbert James Carter (23 April 1858 – 16 April 1940) was an English-born Australian schoolmaster and entomologist.
Early life
Carter was born on 23 April 1858 at Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, the son of Mary Ann (née Freeman) and farmer James Carter. He was educated at Aldenham School, Hertfordshire and subsequently at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1881.[1][2] He was also a keen cricketer.[3]
Career
Migrating to Australia (arriving on the Potosi on 19 February 1882) Carter was made assistant mathematics master at Sydney Grammar School, later becoming senior mathematics master.[4]
In 1902, he became the second Principal of Ascham, a girls' school in Darling Point, having bought it from its founder, Marie Wallis. Under his leadership several properties were added to the campus. He focussed the curriculum on mathematics, natural history and singing but also introduced a class for students wishing to matriculate to university. Carter sold the school to Margaret Bailey in 1914 and retired from teaching.[3]
During World War I, Carter became a founding member of the executive committee of the Australian branch of the British Red Cross Society.[3]
Carter became an amateur collector of Coleoptera, which he pursued across New South Wales and interstate. His field trips included to Mount Kosciusko (1898, 1900 and 1905) and the Barrington Tops (1916 and 1925–27).
As an honorary entomologist at the Australian Museum, Carter described more than 50 new genera and 1,200 species.[5]
His 1933 book, Gulliver in the Bush, has details about many of his field trips.[5]
Death and legacy
Carter died suddenly in Sydney on 16 April 1940.[7]
Carter Place, in the Canberra suburb of Banks, is named in his honour.[8]
References
- ↑ "Carter, Herbert James (CRTR877HJ)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ↑ "Mr. H. J. Carter" (PDF). Nature. 145 (3686): 962. June 1940. Bibcode:1940Natur.145..962.. doi:10.1038/145962a0. ISSN 1476-4687.
- 1 2 3 Franki, G. T., "Herbert James Carter (1858–1940)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 28 April 2026
- ↑ Walkom, Arthur Bache (1943). "Herbert James Carter. 1858-1940". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 68: 91–94 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- 1 2 "Carter, Herbert James". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Retrieved 28 April 2026 – via Swinburne University of Technology.
- ↑ International Plant Names Index. H.J.Carter.
- ↑ Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. Vol. 68. Linnean Society of New South Wales. 1943. p. 94.
- ↑ "Carter Place". ACTmapi Place Names. Retrieved 28 April 2026.