Holmes, William (c. 1797 - 1831)

Summary

William Holmes was born in Lancashire England before settling in Sydney in 1827. William Holmes was the first appointed 'Zoologist' and a superintendent of the newly established Museum of New South Wales, now known as the Australian museum. Although William Holmes does not appear to have had any formal scientific training, he was a carpenter and joiner by trade, he appears to have been actively involved in collecting specimens for the new museum. Some sources argue his carpentry skills would have been very useful in building the display cabinets and cases to house the growing collection of the Museum of New South Wales. William Holmes dies in 1831 after a shooting accident while collecting specimens for the museum.

Details

Chronology

1829 - 1831

Career position - Superintendent and Zoologist, Museum of New South Wales

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Whitley, G. P., 'William Holmes the Australian Museum's First Custodian', The Australian Museum Magazine, 13 (1961), 306. Details

Newspaper Articles

• 'Swan River', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (1830), 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2195911. Details

Resource Sections

• 'William Holmes, Zoologist, 1829 - 1831', in Australian Museum, Australian Museum, 2014, https://australianmuseum.net.au/image/william-holmes-zoologist. Details
• Docker, Rose, 'The Museums Early Days', in Australian Museum, Australian Museum, 2 August 2014, https://australianmuseum.net.au/the-museums-early-days. Details
• Finney, Vanessa, 'August 23, 1831 - Shot With His Own Gun', in Australian Museum, Australian Museum, 23 Augusr 2013, https://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/science/august-23-1831-accidentally-shot-with-his-own-gun. Details
• Johnston, Colin, 'William Holmes: Enigma', in Australian Museum, Australian Museum, 23 July 2014, https://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/explore/william-holmes-enigma. Details