Sir William Jardine, 7th Baronet

Sir William Jardine, 7th Baronet of Applegarth ( born February 23, 1800, Edinburgh, Scotland, † November 21, 1874 in Sandown, Isle of Wight ) was a Scottish ornithologist and publisher of zoological works.

Jardine gave up the time in his popular among all strata of Victorian society forty -volume Natural History The Naturalist 's Library. The 40 volumes mainly describe the four areas: Ornithology (14 volumes), mammals ( 13 volumes ), Entomology (7 volumes) and Ichthyology (6 volumes). Each field was supervised by one of the leading specialists. James Duncan, a well-known Scottish entomologist who wrote volumes about the insects. Among the artists who illustrated the books, Edward Lear was. The cover picture shows the portrait of the French entomologist Pierre André Latreille coupler. The entire plant was moved to Edinburgh by William Home Lizars.

In addition, Jardine supervised an edition of the Natural History of Selborne by Gilbert White (1720-1793), which again made ​​known the work of this naturalist. Jardine also published the book Illustrations of Ornithology (1825-1843) and an inexpensive edition of Birds of America by the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson.

Jardine was the first to describe numerous species of birds, alone or together with his friend Prideaux John Selby. His zoological author abbreviation is Jardine.