The Gibraltar collections: Gilbert White (1720–1793) and John White (1727–1780), and the naturalist and author Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (1723–1788)

Abstract

Gilbert White's preparation of Selborne (1789) was significantly influenced by his tutoring of his brother, John, at Gibraltar. John White lived at Gibraltar as chaplain to the garrison from 1756 to 1772: prompted by his brother, he began to study natural history during the last few years of his chaplaincy and sent to England (for study by his brother) several consignments of specimens across the entire field of natural history; he also wrote for advice about his studies to the naturalist Giovanni Scopoli and, on return to England, prepared for publication a “Fauna Calpensis”.