Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bennett, Edward Turner
BENNETT, EDWARD TURNER (1797–1836), zoologist, was born at Hackney, London, 6 Jan. 1797. John Joseph Bennett, the botanist [q. v.], was his younger brother. He practised for some years as a surgeon near Portman Square, but his chief pursuit was zoology. His numerous papers in scientific journals are of minor importance, and imperfectly represent his attainments. In 1822 he actively promoted the establishment of an entomological society, of which he was secretary. Later, this society developed into a zoological club in connection with the Linnean Society. Under his management the zoological club became the starting-point of the Zoological Society of London in 1826, of which he was at first vice-secretary; he was elected secretary in 1831, and held the office till his death on 21 Aug. 1836. His zealous efforts greatly contributed to the firm establishment of the society. In 1835 he visited Selborne, and made large collections of interesting facts, which he embodied in his posthumous edition of White's 'Selborne' (1837). This work, which is little improved by the mass of matter added, was published with a preface by J. J. Bennett, the editor's brother. Bennett's only separate works were 'The Tower Menagerie,' 1829; 'The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society Delineated,' vol. i. Quadrupeds, 1830, vol. ii. Birds, 1831. Besides these he wrote the article on Fishes in 'Zoology of Captain Beechey's Voyage,' 1839, and many papers in 'Zool. Jour.' 1825-34; 'Linn. Trans.' 1827; 'Mag. Nat. Hist.' 1831; 'Zool. Proc.' 1831-6; 'Zool. Trans.' 1835, 1841; 'Geol. Proc.' 1831.
[J.J. Bennett's preface to E. T. Bennett's ed. of White's Selborne, 1837.]