Edward Donovan (* 1768 in Cork; † 1. Februar 1837 in London) war ein britisch-irischer Zoologe und Illustrator.
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Donovan war Sammler von Naturhistorischen Objekten und Autor und Illustrator von Büchern zur Naturgeschichte, zum Beispiel von Insekten in China, Indien und Indonesien sowie über heimische britische Insekten, Fische, Vögel und Mollusken. Er hatte 1807 bis zur erzwungenen Auflösung (Auktionierung seiner Sammlung 1818) 1817 ein kleines zoologisch-botanisches Museum in London (London Museum and Institute of Natural History in der Catherine Street, The Strand), insbesondere mit Exemplaren der britischen Flora und Fauna. Donovan selbst ging nicht ins Ausland auf Sammelreise, die in seinen Büchern beschriebenen exotischen Exemplare fand er überwiegend in Londoner Sammlungen. Er war Fellow der Linnean Society und der von Robert Jameson gegründeten Wernerian Society in Edinburgh. Er musste ursprünglich wohlhabend gewesen sein. 1833 beklagte er sich in einem Pamphlet bitter über Verleger und Buchhändler, die ihn um seine Erlöse aus seinen umfangreichen Publikationen gebracht hätten. Er starb in Armut.
1789 bis 1790 gab er die Zeitschrift Botanical Review, or the beauties of Flora heraus. 1823 bis 1825 gab er die monatliche Zeitschrift The Naturalist’s Repository heraus.
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- The natural history of British insects explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, oeconomy, &c. together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope, the whole illustrated by coloured figures, designed and executed from living specimens, 16 Bände, London Printed for the author, and for Rivington, 1792–1813
- The Natural History of British Birds; or, a Selection of the most Rare, Beautiful, and Interesting Birds which inhabit this country, 10 Bände, London 1794–1819.
- The natural history of British fishes: including scientific and general descriptions of the most interesting species, and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured plates, taken entirely from original drawings, purposely made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the most part whilst living by E. Donovan.London:Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802 bis 1808
- The Naturalist’s Repository, or Miscellany of Exotic Natural History Exhibiting Rare and Beautiful Specimens of Foreign Birds, Insects, Shells, Quadrupeds, Fish and Marine Productions, 5 Bände, London, 1822–1827.
- The Natural History of British Shells, including Figures and Descriptions of all the Species Hitherto Discovered in Great Britain, Systematically Arranged in the Linnean Manner, with Scientific and General Observations on Each, 5 Bände
- An Epitome of the Natural History of the insects of India, and the islands in the Indian Seas: Comprising upwards to two hundred and fifty figures and descriptions of the most singular and beautiful species, selected chiefly from those recently discovered, and which have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are accurately drawn, engraved, and coloured, from specimens of the insects; the descriptions are arranged according to the system of Linnaeus; with references to the writings of Fabricius, and other systematic authors. Printed for the Author by T. Bensley, London
- An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of China Comprising Figures and Descriptions of Upwards of One Hundred New, Singular, and Beautiful Species; Together with some that are of Importance in Medicine, Domestic Economy, &c London: Printed for the Author, by T. Bensley, 1798.
- An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite, and other islands in the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans: including the figures and descriptions of one hundred and fifty-three species of the more splendid, beautiful, and interesting insects, hitherto discovered in those countries, and which for the most part have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are correctly delineated from specimens of the insects; and with the descriptions are arranged according to the Linnean system, with reference to the writings of Fabricius and other entomologists. London. 1805.
- Instructions for collecting and preserving various subjects of natural history: as quasrupeds, birds, reptiles, fishes, shells, corals, plants, &c.: together with a treatise on the management of insects in their several states; selected from the best authorities by E. Donovan, 2. Auflage, London, Rivington 1805
- Excursions in South Wales and Monmouthshire, 1805 (mit Beschreibung der Insektenfauna von Süd-Wales)
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- Michael Salmon: The Aurelian Legacy: British Butterflies and Their Collectors. University of California Press, 2000, S. 129
- Donovan, Edward. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. 11. Auflage. Band 8: Demijohn – Edward. London 1910, S. 419 (englisch, Volltext [Wikisource]).
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- Werke von und über Edward Donovan in der Deutschen Digitalen Bibliothek
- Werke von und über Edward Donovan bei Open Library
- Pamela Gilbert: Donovan, Edward. In: Henry Colin Gray Matthew, Brian Harrison (Hrsg.): Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, from the earliest times to the year 2000 (ODNB). Oxford University Press, Oxford 2004, ISBN 0-19-861411-X (oxforddnb.com Lizenz erforderlich), Stand: 2004