Francis Willughby (1635-1672)

Francis Willughby was a Cambridge educated naturalist who, with his friend and mentor, John Ray gathered material for a comprehensive description of the animal kingdom. After Ray's untimely death, Willughby published their work. Preparing the publication, he wrote, "...elegant and accurate figures do much illustrate and facilitate the understanding of Descriptions." In spite of this, he was disappointed in the results sent from his London engravers who worked from drawings and specimens. The poses appear stiff and some seem to have rigor mortis. However, it is an important milestone in British ornithology.