Article

George William Taylor

Published Online April 13, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

George William Taylor, clergyman, entomologist, conchologist (b at Derby, Eng 1854; d 22 Aug 1912, buried at Nanaimo, BC). After immigrating to Victoria, BC, in 1882, he studied theology and was ordained an Anglican priest in 1886.

Taylor, George William

George William Taylor, clergyman, entomologist, conchologist (b at Derby, Eng 1854; d 22 Aug 1912, buried at Nanaimo, BC). After immigrating to Victoria, BC, in 1882, he studied theology and was ordained an Anglican priest in 1886. With the exception of 2 years in Ottawa (1888-90), he served his entire ministry in BC. Always an avid insect collector, he compiled the first list of insects, mainly moths and butterflies, native to the province. He was appointed the first provincial entomologist (honorary) of BC in 1887 in recognition of his expertise. Many new species of Lepidoptera were described by him in the Canadian Entomologist and the Ottawa Naturalist. He had, in addition to his collection of insects, the most comprehensive collection of marine shells in Canada, was a recognized authority on conchology, and published often on the molluscs of BC in Nautilus. In 1907 he was appointed curator of the Marine Biological Station on Departure Bay, a station that would be built under his direction.