Imperial Pathological Entomologist (Frank Milburn HOWLETT)

mugwortismy cat

mugwortismy cat

Tenacious to the End!
I created an Album earlier today related to this man, which includes some images he drew of insects. I hope no-one is squeamish about insects, but I find his drawings rather beautiful. I've written this post just to say a little more about him, if anyone is interested.

He is my 4th cousin 3x removed and one of my favourite discoveries, and not only for the (slightly ridiculous?) glory of his job-title. He worked for several years at Pusa in India, and unfortunately India did not agree with his health. He died in 1920 aged 43 in Mussoorie after an operation which I believe was connected to his illness.

There is a brief obituary in Nature praising the originality of his work, and a longer one in The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine which has a summary of his career (I believe I found this on archive.org as I can't imagine where else I found access to this journal!). It is the second obituary from which I took the quote regarding his personality that I have put in the Album description.

I've yet to obtain a death certificate to find out more; is this a relatively straighforward procedure? --- I've never looked into it.

Christel
 
Thanks Mutters, I didn't know how to do that, meant to ask. I was going to look it up, as I was sure I read it somewhere. So much to learn ...
 
mugwortismy cat said:
I've yet to obtain a death certificate to find out more; is this a relatively straighforward procedure? --- I've never looked into it.

Christel
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Go to this website and scroll down until you get to the heading of Returns of baptisms, marriages and burials 1698 to 1969 and have a rummage. :)

indiafamily.bl.uk/ui/Sources.aspx
 
Daft Bat said:
Go to this website and scroll down until you get to the heading of Returns of baptisms, marriages and burials 1698 to 1969 and have a rummage. :)

indiafamily.bl.uk/ui/Sources.aspx
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Oh Jan, thank you, but i had a rummage and it looks like the year I need isn't there :(. I think Mussoorie came under Bengal administration, and they don't seem to have any burials for 1920. If he'd still been in Pusa (which I think was under Madras administration) then I'd be ok.

But the info is on FamilySearch so it must be somewhere ...

Mutters said:
Try here

or also have a read of post #18 on this thread
http://www.genealogy-specialists.com/threads/replies-that-quote-more-than-one-message.326/
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OK, Mutters, I'll try to remember for next time I want to be clever ... but if all goes wrong, I can rely on you ;) or is that only a one time thing?
 
on the FIBIS website have found a transcript of the death notice in The Times of India

On August 20th at Terence Hall Mussoorie Francis Milburn Howlett of Pusa son of Mrs Howlett 116 Thorp Rd Norwich

I have no idea why they printed his name as Francis (it is Francis on FamilySearch also but every other record has Frank -- which is a perfectly good name in its own right!)

so I have slightly more precise information regarding places, but am no closer to cause of death
 
I have no idea why they printed his name as Francis (it is Francis on FamilySearch also but every other record has Frank -- which is a perfectly good name in its own right!)
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Some people/collectors are now 'tidying up' registers & adapting names to suit their preferences. Not only for Latin names either. If Parents couldn't read, they'd never know.
It explains a writ or Stat dec. I once found with a young Lady clearing up a misrepresentation in a baptism or something.

I mentioned it on another forum, may go back & see if I can find it.
An almost copy of what I wrote then:
1790 Baptism.
1846 a solemn declaration was made in the Police courts to amend incorrect spelling of the name of the Mother of a female child in the baptismal book of 1790. ' 'Ann' appeared to be spelled as 'Arm' !
The Daughter won the day, a correction was made, & 'the declaration annexed'.
I wonder what sent her to check?
No authors name on the page, so I guess he wasn't chatted up for it?
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Is this acceptable copywrite?
 
'Imperial Pathological Entomologist' certainly is a grand title! And an important job too, when there are so many devastating insect-borne diseases.

I see that in some publications F.M. Howlett has the initials F.E.S. after his name . . . presumably Fellow of the Entomological Society. This is now the Royal Entomological Society ('the privilege of adding the word "Royal" to the title was granted by King George V in 1933, the Centenary of the Society's foundation', according to their website). Perhaps they will be able to help you with your research? They have a 'collection of diaries, letters and photographs of eminent entomologists' according to the Library page of their website:

http://www.
royensoc.co.uk/library/about.htm

Unfortunately their database is not accessible to ordinary mortals: apparently you need to ask the Librarian for a PIN.
 
I forgot to mention, I have spent many happy hours watching ants & other small creatures working while I lay on the grass not working. Not only in child- hood either, there have been g'children to aquaint with the smaller creatures too. Bees may be my favourite, we chat when ever I spot them.
I enjoyed the drawings mugwort's mum.
 
Huncamunca said:
I see that in some publications F.M. Howlett has the initials F.E.S. after his name . . . presumably Fellow of the Entomological Society. This is now the Royal Entomological Society ('the privilege of adding the word "Royal" to the title was granted by King George V in 1933, the Centenary of the Society's foundation', according to their website). Perhaps they will be able to help you with your research? They have a 'collection of diaries, letters and photographs of eminent entomologists' according to the Library page of their website:

http://www.
royensoc.co.uk/library/about.htm

Unfortunately their database is not accessible to ordinary mortals: apparently you need to ask the Librarian for a PIN.
Click to expand...

Huncamunca

How clever you are! it says in his obit that he joined the Society in 1907. It was just a sentence that I read and suddenly you have given it meaning and purpose!

I will look into it

Thank you
 
Huncamunca said:
'Imperial Pathological Entomologist' certainly is a grand title! And an important job too, when there are so many devastating insect-borne diseases.

I see that in some publications F.M. Howlett has the initials F.E.S. after his name . . . presumably Fellow of the Entomological Society. This is now the Royal Entomological Society ('the privilege of adding the word "Royal" to the title was granted by King George V in 1933, the Centenary of the Society's foundation', according to their website). Perhaps they will be able to help you with your research? They have a 'collection of diaries, letters and photographs of eminent entomologists' according to the Library page of their website.
Click to expand...

Oh, I just heard back from the librarian. My poor Frank was neither grand enough, important enough, or eminent enough -- and they have nothing :(
 
mugwortismy cat said:
Oh, I just heard back from the librarian. My poor Frank was neither grand enough, important enough, or eminent enough -- and they have nothing :(
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Don't be too down-hearted by the fact that he wasn't listed - You know how beautiful his drawings were, you have them in your possession and as you say in your 'Album', he was a 'kind man who possessed a keen sense of humour'.
So, treasure his drawings and remember how you feel every time you look at them - if it were me, it would be with pride. :)
 
mugwortismy cat said:
Oh, I just heard back from the librarian. My poor Frank was neither grand enough, important enough, or eminent enough -- and they have nothing :(
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Oh dear, I'm sorry I got your hopes up only for them to be dashed. :(

However, don't despair. I have often had a flat 'No' from archivists and then turned up relevant stuff when I've gone and searched myself. A lot of material just isn't catalogued in enough detail to include all the personal names mentioned. Perhaps there will be a more detailed obituary somewhere? You could also try local newspapers in the area where his family lived.
 
Dear Huncamunca

No need to apologise, it was a good idea. I think working in India and dying so young did no good for his "career", despite the kind things said of his 'promise' in the obituaries.

Apparently there is a brief biog. in "History of Entomology in India" by Dr Subba Rao (1998). The librarian said she had attached a scan, but nothing. I've sent her a gentle reminder. Maybe it will tell me something I don't know.

And Bookworm,

Thank you for trying to lift my spirits! (and it worked -- what a lovely thing it was that you said). I was momentarily downheartened but I will keep going!
 
Huncamunca

I tried the newspapers before but maybe it deserves another go.

I've been thinking over what you said of a longer obit. and had another look at the one I mentioned from The Entomologists Monthly Magazine. The part summarising his career says:

"He left Cambridge in 1900 and spent some years teaching in England, being for a time on the staff of the Merchant Taylors' School. In 1905 he went to Muir College, Allahabad University, as acting Professor of Chemistry, subsequently becoming Professor of Biology. He left Allahabad in 1907 and was appointed Second Imperial Entomologist of India, his headquarters being at the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa. His designation was afterwards changed to "Imperial Pathological Entomologist" and he held that position till his death. Being in England on leave during part of the war, his services were lent to the War Office, and he acted as Entomologist to the Hygiene Department of the Royal Army Medical College during 1916 and part of 1917, returning to India in the summer of the latter year."


I suppose I could look into the war work he did, I haven't tried contacting the Royal Army Medical School yet. But maybe I have to go to India ...
 
OK so the Royal Army Medical College I can't find except they used to be in Millbank, and no longer seem to exist --- I'll have to do a bit more thinking/research/begging for help:oops:

But I have emailed Allahabad University (which developed from Muir College), and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (as it is now called). I'll let you know what they say.
 
Ancestry have an entry for him in thier Cambridge University Alumini collection, he attended Christ's College.
 
I have looked at the online catalogue for the Wellcome Library

and they have something (maybe)

[[Hewitt-Hutson]] [archive material]
media_archive.png
Archives and manuscripts
WA/BSR/BA/Cor/A.24
1913-1922

Includes correspondence with the Home Office re animal experimentation.
Persons or organisations featured in this material include:
and within a long list of names is HOWLETT FM !!
 
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