1781 - 1863

Kort fakta

  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Died: 1863
  • Lifespan: 82 years
  • Also known as:
    • W. J. Burchell
    • Burchell
    • Burch.
  • Works on this site: 1

The Naturalist Explorer

William John Burchell was an English explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist, and author. Born in Fulham, London, he served a botanical apprenticeship at Kew and was elected a Fellow of the Linnaen Society in 1803. His life was defined by extensive expeditions, beginning with a voyage to St. Helena in 1805, where he served as a schoolmaster and later as an official botanist. In 1810, he sailed to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to explore and expand his botanical collection.

During his travels through South Africa between 1811 and 1815, Burchell covered more than 7000 km of unexplored terrain, collecting over 50,000 specimens. He later travelled in Brazil between 1825 and 1830, collecting more than 20,000 insects. His meticulous documentation included copious and accurate notes on habitat and habit, alongside numerous drawings and paintings of landscapes, portraits, costumes, people, animals, and plants.

Legacy and Collections

Burchell's vast collections included plants, animal skins, skeletons, insects, seeds, bulbs, and fish. His scientific contributions are preserved in prestigious institutions: his plant specimens and field journals are held by Kew Gardens, while his insect collection is housed at the Oxford University Museum. His sister, Anna Burchell, presented his drawings and manuscripts to Kew Gardens after his death.

His name is immortalized in the natural world through several species named after him, including:

He is also commemorated in the monotypic plant genus Burchellia R. Br.

Spørsmål og svar

Kan jeg utforske William John Burchell sine verk etter fargespekter?

William John Burchell sine verk kan utforskes etter farge på kunstnerens Sorter etter farge-side.

I hvilke kunstretninger arbeidet William John Burchell?

Bla gjennom William John Burchell sine verk etter kunstretning på William John Burchell sin Alle kunstretninger-side.

Hvordan finner jeg verk av William John Burchell i en bestemt fargepalett?

Utforsk William John Burchell sine verk etter fargepalett på kunstnerens Etter fargepalett-side.

Hvor kan jeg se William John Burchell sine kunstverk i kronologisk rekkefølge?

William John Burchell sine kunstverk kan ses i kronologisk rekkefølge på kunstnerens Kronologisk oversikt over kunstverk-side.

Kort quiz

Det er kun ett riktig svar på hvert spørsmål.

Spørsmål 1:
Where was William John Burchell born?
Spørsmål 2:
In which year was Burchell elected a Fellow of the Linnaen Society?
Spørsmål 3:
Which institution holds Burchell's insect collection?
Spørsmål 4:
Between which years did Burchell travel in Brazil?
Spørsmål 5:
Which plant genus is named after Burchell?