Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Martin, William Charles Linnaeus
MARTIN, WILLIAM CHARLES LINNÆUS (1798–1864), writer on natural history, born in 1798, was the son of William Martin [q. v.] the naturalist. From October 1830 to 1838 he was superintendent of the museum of the Zoological Society of London. He died at Lee, Kent, 15 Feb. 1804. His earliest works were: 'A Natural History of Quadrupeds,' of which only 544 pp. were issued, 8vo, London' [1840], ' The History of the Dog,' and 'The History of the Horse,' published in 1845 (12mo, London). These were followed, between 1847 and 1858, by a series of works on poultry, cattle, pigs, and sheep, which appeared either separately or as volumes in the 'Farmer's Library,' 'Books for the Country,' and 'The Country House,' Besides these he wrote the following ornithological works:
- 'An Introduction to the Study of Birds … with a particular Notice of the Birds mentioned in Scripture,' 8vo, London, n. d.
- ' A General History of Humming-Birds … with … reference to the Collection of J. Gould,' 8vo, London, 1852.
He also edited a fourth edition of Mudie's 'Feathered Tribes of the British Islands' for Bonn's 'Illustrated Library,' and, in conjunction with F. T. Buckland and others, contributed papers to 'Birds and Bird-Life,' 8vo, 1863. Forty-five papers read by Martin before the Zoological Society appeared in their 'Proceedings.'
[Gent. Mug. 1864, i. 536; information kindly supplied by Dr. P. L. Sclater, F.R.S., sec Zool. Soc.; Allibone's Biog. Dict.]