Sir Richard OwenBorn 20 Jul 1804; died 18 Dec 1892 at age 88. English zoologist, anatomist and palaeontologist who is remembered for his contributions to the study of fossil animals and for his strong opposition to the views of Charles Darwin. He created the word "Dinosaur" meaning "terrible reptile" (1842). Owen synthesized French anatomical work, especially from Cuvier and Geoffroy, with German transcendental anatomy. He gave us many of the terms still used today in anatomy and evolutionary biology, including "homology". In 1856, he was appointed Superintendent of the British Museum (Natural History).Image: Detail from portrait by William Holman Hunt. |
