Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Saxby, Henry Linckmyer

603919Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 50 — Saxby, Henry Linckmyer1897Bernard Barham Woodward

SAXBY, HENRY LINKMYER (1836–1873), ornithologist, second son of Stephen Martin Saxby (sometime of the royal navy) and his wife Mary Ann (born Lindeman), was born in London on 19 April 1836. His boyhood and early youth were passed in the Undercliff, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and in North Wales. After being educated at home he went to Edinburgh University in 1857, and, passing through the medical course, took Professor Sir James Y. Simpson's diploma in 1860. During part of 1860 and 1861 he was assistant to Dr. Edmondston of Unst, Shetland Isles. In 1862 he graduated M.D. from St. Andrews. Returning to Unst, he entered into practice with Dr. Edmondston in 1863, and continued there after the latter's retirement till 1871, when broken health compelled his return to Edinburgh. In 1872 he removed to Inverary, where he died on 4 Aug. 1873. He married, 16 Dec. 1859, Jessie Margaret, a daughter of Dr. Edmondston, who survived him.

Saxby, who was a good draughtsman, was a born naturalist. He contributed seven papers on ornithological subjects to the ‘Zoologist’ between 1861 and 1871, and was author of ‘The Birds of Shetland’ (8vo, Edinburgh, 1874), which was edited by his brother, the Rev. S. H. Saxby (1831–1886).

[Information kindly supplied by his brother, the Rev. G. F. Saxby; Roy. Soc. Cat.; Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Cat.]

B. B. W.