Norman Denbigh Riley, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Norman Denbigh Riley

British entomologist

Date of Birth: 26-Sep-1890

Place of Birth: London

Date of Death: 26-May-1979

Profession: lepidopterist, entomologist

Nationality: United Kingdom

Zodiac Sign: Libra


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About Norman Denbigh Riley

  • Norman Denbigh Riley CBE (26 September 1890 London – 26 May 1979) was a British entomologist with a special interest in the Lepidoptera and in particular the Lycaenidae.
  • For many years he was keeper of entomology at the British Museum. His first schooling took place at Dulwich College where his interest in natural history and Lepidoptera became evident.
  • Richard South, the prominent entomologist was the Riley family's neighbour in Balham and encouraged Norman Riley in his hobby.
  • After he finishing school Riley enrolled at the Imperial College in order to take a course in entomology, and managed to find work there as a demonstrator under Ray Lankester, who was then director of the British Museum.
  • At age 21 he was appointed as an assistant in the Entomology Department. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Riley joined the Royal Army Service Corps, and saw service in France.
  • At the end of the war he was discharged with the rank of captain and resumed his work at the museum, becoming keeper of entomology in 1932.
  • He became dedicated to acquiring gifts and purchases of specimens to expand the collection of the museum, and succeeded in creating a research resource of international renown. Because of his easy and affable manner, Riley became popular as a committee-man and competently steered projects through financial and political pitfalls, becoming involved in national and international entomological matters.
  • He served as both secretary and treasurer to the Entomological Society of London between 1926 and 1951, and was elected president in 1952.
  • He was also a charter member of the Lepidopterists' Society and served on their council, being elected vice-president in 1954 and president in 1958.
  • He also found time to be active in the Zoological Society of London.
  • In 1923, on the retirement of Richard South, his boyhood mentor, Riley took over the running of a small, but popular periodical called the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine.

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