1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Lankester, Sir Edwin Ray

LANKESTER, SIR EDWIN RAY (1847-⁠), English biologist, was born in London May 15 1847, eldest son of Edwin Lankester (1814-74), a well-known physician and naturalist and F.R.S. He was educated at St. Paul's school, Downing College, Cambridge, and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1870 he was made Radcliffe travelling fellow, and in 1872 was elected to a fellowship at Exeter College, Oxford. During 1874-90 he was professor of zoology and comparative anatomy at University College, London; from 1891 to 1898 he was Linacre professor of comparative anatomy at Oxford; and from 1898 to 1907 he was director of the natural history departments of the British Museum. He was created K.C.B. in 1907. He received hon. degrees from most of the universities of Europe and became a member of many learned societies in England and America. His numerous publications include Comparative Longevity (1871); Degeneration (1880); and the more popular Science from an Easy Chair (1910); Diversions of a Naturalist (1915); Science and Education (1919) and Secrets of Earth and Sea (1920).