A History Of British Birds Volume The Sixth

Author: Rev. F O Morris
Price: £125
Publisher: John C Nimmo
Edition: Fourth edition
Publication Date: 1897
Format: Quarto. Full calf.
Condition: Good to very good.

Description:
Volume 6 only. Large octavo. Includes 64 full-page hand-coloured plates including The Great Auk. Binding nice and tight but quite rubbed. Hand coloured plates very nice and clean with occasional very slight spotting and marks. Binding in good condition, plates in very nice condition indeed.

Reverend F O Morris And The History of British Birds: A Short Description

A History of British Birds, authored by the Reverend Francis Orpen Morris, remains one of the most beloved and recognisable works of Victorian natural history. First published in six volumes between 1851 and 1857, it brought ornithology within reach of the general reader, combining accessible prose with vivid hand-coloured illustrations that continue to charm audiences today.

Rev. F. O. Morris was a Church of England clergyman with a lifelong passion for natural history. Born in Ireland and educated at Oxford, he combined his religious vocation with a strong commitment to the observation and conservation of wildlife. His deep concern for the natural world—particularly for birds—was evident not only in his writing but also in his public campaigning, notably against the use of bird feathers in fashion and the wanton destruction of native species.

The publication of A History of British Birds marked a significant moment in Victorian publishing. It was among the earliest ornithological works to be issued in parts by subscription, a method that broadened its reach beyond academic circles. The series was illustrated by Benjamin Fawcett, a master printer based in Driffield, Yorkshire. Fawcett’s workshop became renowned for the quality of its woodblock colour printing, a technique that allowed for brilliant, finely detailed plates.

Each bird in the series was illustrated in colour and accompanied by a descriptive text that combined factual information with personal observation. Morris was not a scientist in the modern sense; rather, he was a naturalist in the classical tradition—passionate, observant, and eloquent. His style was straightforward and didactic, often infused with moral sentiment. He emphasised the importance of recognising and preserving the natural heritage of Britain, and he viewed birds not merely as subjects of curiosity but as divine creations worthy of admiration and protection.

What makes A History of British Birds particularly significant is its role in popularising ornithology during the nineteenth century. At a time when formal scientific literature could be dry and inaccessible, Morris offered an inviting alternative. His work appealed to families, amateur naturalists, and those interested in the countryside, effectively nurturing a culture of birdwatching and nature study that would flourish in the years to come.

Moreover, the collaboration between Morris, Fawcett, and Alexander Francis Lydon—who executed many of the original drawings—set a high standard for illustrated natural history. Their work anticipated the modern field guide, combining clarity of illustration with succinct identification features. Even today, the images retain their utility and charm, often reproduced in decorative arts and educational materials.

Morris’s legacy extends beyond ornithology. He was an early voice for conservation in Britain, linking appreciation of nature with a moral imperative to protect it. A History of British Birds is thus not only a beautifully produced book but also a foundational text in the British conservation movement.

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