Joan Beauchamp Procter
Joan Procter | |
---|---|
Born | Joan Beauchamp Procter 5 August 1897 11, Kensington Square, London, England |
Died | 20 September 1931 St Mark's House, St Mark's Square, London | (aged 34)
Known for |
|
Awards | Honorary Doctor of Science (1931), British Museum (Natural History) Zoological Society of London |
Academic advisors | George Albert Boulenger Edward George Boulenger Peter Chalmers Mitchell |
Joan Beauchamp Procter
Early life
Joan Procter was born in London on 5 August 1897, at 11
While still at
Her fascination with reptiles developed further during her time at St Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith (1908–1916). When she was sixteen, she acquired a young crocodile as a pet and took it with her to school, resulting in consternation in a mathematics lesson.[3][4] She was said to be a "brilliant" student, but her education was frequently interrupted because of chronic ill-health. Although she showed great promise, illness led to her abandoning the idea of going to Cambridge University.[2]
The British Museum (Natural History)
Joan Procter's enquiries about reptiles brought her to the attention of George Albert Boulenger, then Keeper of Reptiles and Fishes at the British Museum (Natural History) and he encouraged her interest. When she left school, Boulenger invited her to work under his direction[5] and in 1916 she became his assistant, working at the museum in South Kensington in a voluntary capacity.[6] Mentored by him, she was able to engage in academic zoology although she lacked university qualifications. At the age of nineteen, she presented her first scientific paper, on variations of a Central and South American species of pit viper, to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)[7] and in August 1917 she was elected as a Fellow of the Zoological Society (FZS). When Boulenger retired in 1920, she took sole charge of reptiles at the museum and received a small stipend for her work[8]
Between 1917 and 1923 she conducted research and wrote a series of scientific papers on the anatomy, classification and habits of reptiles and amphibians. Notable[9] amongst these is her study of an East African tortoise, now known as Malacochersus tornieri, which is able to conceal itself in rock crevices because of its flexible carapace.[10] She corresponded widely,[11] establishing her reputation with scientists around the world, and formally described many animals collected by others.[2] In 1923, William Bateson sought her support for his critique of Paul Kammerer’s controversial work on the midwife toad (Alytes). Although Procter was "not averse to war with Kammerer", she believed there was insufficient material to assist Bateson on this issue.[12] Much of her work at the museum entailed formally describing animals collected by others.[13] She was elected as a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS), in recognition of the high quality of this taxonomic work.[14] She also became a member of the Bombay Natural History Society.[15] Joan Procter was also an accomplished draughtswoman and modeller.[5] At the museum, she made models for display cases and combined her artistic flair with scientific accuracy in a series of paintings of amphibians and reptiles that were reproduced in colour as postcards.[2]
Zoological Society of London
Joan Procter's artistic and technical abilities became known within the Zoological Society, mainly through her friendship with George Boulenger's son,
Design work at London Zoo
Following her success with the aquarium, she designed rock-work for outdoor areas at the Zoo,[20] including the Antelope Paddock.[22] She made models of the extensive rock structures for Monkey Hill (1924–1925)[23] which was built on the site of the present Animal Hospital.[24] The large troop of hamadryas baboons established there proved very popular with visitors and, in Joan Procter's lifetime, Monkey Hill was considered a success. (Later, the social dynamics of the baboons became too problematic to resolve; the hill was then used for goats, and briefly for rhesus macaques, before being closed and demolished shortly after the second world war).[24][25]
Lasting success was achieved by Joan Procter's design for the Reptile House (built 1926–1927).[26] It was the first purpose-built building of its type in the world and is still in use. She designed rock-work and pools for the reptile enclosures and a theatrical scenic artist, John Bull, was employed to execute her designs for naturalistic back-scenes.[27] Although external Italianate features were added by the architect Sir Edward Guy Dawber,[28] the basic structure, floor plan and exhibit details of the Reptile House were entirely the work of Joan Procter. Peter Chalmers Mitchell, then Secretary of the Zoological Society, recorded that "from the beginning to the end it was her house".[29] It incorporated many of Procter's new technological ideas.[30] It pioneered the use of 'Vita-glass', which allowed natural ultraviolet light, needed by reptiles for the synthesis of Vitamin D, to reach the animals[31] and several of other sophisticated features (such as the directional circulation of visitors, differential electrical heating of enclosures,[32] and aquarium principle lighting[33][34]) that were subsequently adopted in other zoo buildings.[5] Later, she collaborated with Peter Chalmers Mitchell on the design brief for the Main Gate (1928), which is also attributed to Sir Edward Guy Dawber.[35] It remains in use, largely unaltered.
Handling dangerous animals
Joan Procter became expert in the routine handling of animals such as large pythons, crocodilians and Komodo dragons. The first two live Komodo dragons to arrive in Europe were exhibited in the Reptile House at London Zoo when it opened in 1927.[36] She established an extraordinary rapport with these animals, demonstrating that their behaviour in captivity could be contrary to their popular image as dangerous predators. She was well aware that "they could no doubt kill one if they wished, or give a terrible bite",[37] but good care, feeding and routine handling resulted in dragons described "as tame as dogs and even seem to show affection".[38] The dragon named Sumbawa became Joan Procter's particular pet and accompanied her when she walked around the Zoo;[39] often she ‘steered’ it by holding the tail.[40] It was tame with visitors, including young children;[41] a photograph in one of her published articles shows Sumbawa next to a two-year-old child who appears to be patting the reptile on its head.[42][43] In 1928, she demonstrated this animal at a Scientific Meeting of the Zoological Society, feeding it chicken, eggs and a pigeon by hand while she stroked and patted it.[44]
She worked closely with the Zoological Society's pathologist to identify diseases and became expert at treating sick animals,[2] although sometimes she needed assistance: A Komodo dragon "required three strong keepers to hold it while she opened its mouth".[36] Using special equipment of her own design, she successfully carried out a range of veterinary procedures[2] many of which "had not hitherto been attempted".[5]
National and international recognition
As the first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo, Joan Procter attained considerable celebrity status in a short time. At her home in St. Mark's Square, near the Zoo, she kept a pet
Ill health and early death
Chronic ill-health persisted throughout Joan Procter’s adult life and she underwent several surgical operations.[2] She displayed great determination and good humour, but all of her achievements were accomplished against a background of constant pain.[5] In 1928, after five years of intensive activity at London Zoo, serious illness prevented further work and she decided to resign from her post. Herbrand Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford, as President of the Zoological Society, refused to accept her resignation.[51] In 1928, Peter Chalmers Mitchell involved her in planning for the new zoological park that was then being developed at Whipsnade and he sent her to stay there, at Hall Farm,[52] while she was recuperating from her illness. Every morning she rode on a donkey or a pony from Hall Farm to the edge of the Downs. The track she followed still exists within Whipsnade Zoo, named in her memory, as "Miss Joan’s Ride".[53][54]
Joan Procter's involvement with large, potentially dangerous animals continued in her final years. At Whipsnade she had a close encounter with an escaped brown bear, which she captured by enticing it with some honey before shutting it in a lavatory.[52] Towards the end of her life, when she could only get around the grounds of London Zoo in an electric wheelchair, she was still often accompanied by a 3-metre-long Komodo dragon on a leash.[55] Although seriously ill, she continued to work intermittently, painting in watercolours[56] and planning articles for the Manchester Guardian.[57] She died from cancer at her home in St Mark's House, St Mark's Square, London NW1, on 20 September 1931, aged 34.
Commemoration
George Alexander,[58] who carved the reptiles on the stone architrave around the entrance to the Reptile House,[36][59] later sculpted a marble bust of Joan Procter which was exhibited in 1931 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Subsequently, presented to the Zoological Society, it is displayed with a commemorative bronze plaque at the entrance to the Reptile House at London Zoo.[60] Alexander's carved reptiles are said to have "satisfied Miss Procter’s meticulous desire for scientific accuracy as well as artistic beauty" [61] and the bust evidently meets similar criteria, being described as "the best likeness of her".[2]
For International Women's Day in 2014 the Zoological Society of London celebrated the achievements of Joan Procter, also publishing a picture of Joan Procter and of one of her tame Komodo dragons on its website.[62]
Two species of reptiles have been named in honour of Joan Procter: a snake,
References
- ^ Cambridge, UK. GCPP Procter 5/1/8 (former reference: MISS 7), Girton College Archive. Index and summary online at http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0271%2FGCPP%20Procter%205%2F1%2F8
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Anon. 1931. Obituary: Miss Joan Procter – A zoologist of genius, The Times, London, 21 September, page 14. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ISBN 019861411X
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/73713. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ doi:10.1038/128664b0.
- ^ a b Anon. 1923. Woman Curator of Reptiles: Appointments at the Zoo, The Times, London, 19 July, page 9. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Procter, J. B. (August 1918). On the variations of the pit-viper Lachesis atria. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1918: pp. 163–182
- ISBN 0434736007
- ISBN 0126133409
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1922. A study of the remarkable tortoise Testudo Loveridgii Blgr., and the morphology of the Chelonian carapace. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1922: No 34
- ^ Procter, J. B., et al. 1912–1925. Joan Procter correspondence: Personal and professional letters, in Zoological Society of London Archives, ZSL Library, London. Ref. GB 0814 ZBB. Index of correspondents listed at http://library.zsl.org/GLASOPAC/TitleView/BibInfo.asp?BrowseCode=3F800000&BrowseIndex=4[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 0330238299
- ^ Smith, M. A., and J. B. Procter. 1921. On a collection of reptiles and batrachians from the island of Ceram, Indo–Australian Archipelago. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series, 940: pp. 352–355
- ^ Smith Woodward, Dr. A. (Chair) 1923. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, 3 May 1923. Available at https://archive.org/stream/proceedingsoflin191923linn/proceedingsoflin191923linn_djvu.txt
- ^ Anon. 1923. Evening Post, volume CVI, Issue 86, page 9, Wellington, New Zealand. (National Library of New Zealand, National Newspapers Collection) Available online at http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19231009.2.113
- ^ Anon. 1946. Mr E. G. Boulenger: The Aquarium at the Zoo, The Times, London, 2 May 1946, page 7. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 178. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ^ Anon. 1924. The London Zoological Society’s Aquarium, Nature, Volume 113, Number 2842 (19 April 1924), pp 571 – 572 . Available at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v113/n2842/abs/113571a0.html
- ^ Anon. 1925. The Zoological Gardens: Progress with the new Aquarium, The Times, London, 15 June, page 17. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ a b Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 82. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ISBN 0520224876
- ^ Anon. 1924. New rockwork at the Zoo: The Antelope Paddock, The Times, London, 14 July, page 8. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 184. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ^ ISBN 0126133409
- ISBN 0709073720
- ISBN 1873592159
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 216. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ISBN 1873592159
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 212. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ISBN 0126133409
- ^ Sadar, John. 2008. The healthful ambience of Vitaglass: light, glass and the curative environment, Architectural Review Quarterly, Vol. 12, Issue 3–4, pp. 269 -281. Cambridge University Press. Available at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=F56498626E89BA7C0E882A7DC84B4EDA.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=4399472
- ^ Anon. 1926. The progress of science: Electrical heating for reptiles – The Zoo experiment, The Times, London, 2 August, page 13. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Anon. 1927. New Reptile House at the Zoo: Official opening next Wednesday, The Times, London, 9 June, page 10. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Dr. 1927. Reptiles at the Zoo: Opening of new house today, The Times, London, 15 June, page 17. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ISBN 1873592159
- ^ a b c Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1927. Reptiles at the Zoo: Opening of new house today, The Times, London, 15 June, page 17. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928–1929. Dragons that are alive to-day, in J. A. Hammerton (ed.), Wonders of Animal Life, page 37. Amalgamated Press, London. ASIN: B0014VT1WC.
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 220. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ^ Murphy, James B.; T. Walsh (2006). "Dragons and humans" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 37 (3): 269–275.
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928–1929. Dragons that are alive to-day, in J. A. Hammerton (ed.), Wonders of Animal Life. Page 38. Amalgamated Press, London. ASIN: B0014VT1WC.
- ^ Norris-Wood, John. Unknown date. Biography. Available at http://murphymachinart/john-norris-wood-biography[permanent dead link]
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928. On a living Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, exhibited at the Scientific Meeting, 23 October 1928. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1928: page 1019
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928–1929. Dragons that are alive to-day, in J. A. Hammerton (ed.), Wonders of Animal Life, page 35. Amalgamated Press, London. ASIN: B0014VT1WC.
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928. On a living Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, exhibited at the Scientific Meeting, 23 October 1928. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1928: pp. 1017–1019
- ^ Gray, Dulcie. 1999. About butterflies: An address given to the Linnean Society, 27 January 1998, Linnean, London, 15 – 1, January 1999, page 37
- ^ Anon. 1923. Woman expert is given care of zoo reptiles: Miss Joan Procter appointed curator in London Zoo, The Woodville Republican, Woodville, Mississippi, 1 September. Available at https://news.google.com/newspapers
- ^ Anon. 1927. Front page drawing of Joan Procter, Illustrated London News, London, Saturday 2 July 1927
- ^ Anon. 1927. Charms snakes so visitors to zoo may see them better, The Reading Eagle, Reading, Pennsylvania, 11 September, p. 31. Available at https://news.google.com/newspapers
- ^ Procter, J. B. 1928–1929. Dragons that are alive to-day, in J. A. Hammerton (ed.), Wonders of Animal Life. pp. 32–41. Amalgamated Press, London. ASIN: B0014VT1WC.
- ^ University of Chicago. 1931. Certificate and letters about the Honorary DSC awarded by the Intercollegiate University of Chicago. Documents in Girton College Archive, Cambridge, UK. Ref. GCPP Procter 5/2/12 (former reference: MSS 7). Indexed with descriptive note at http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0271%2FGCPP%20Procter%205%2F2%2F12
- ^ Russell, Herbrand (Duke of Bedford). 23 November 1928. Personal letter to Joan Procter, in Girton College Archive, Cambridge. Ref. GCPP Procter 5/2 (Former reference MSS 7). Summary in index at http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0271%2FGCPP%20Procter%205%2F2%2F3
- ^ ISBN 0900727837
- ^ Street, P. 1953. Whipsnade, page 23. University of London Press, London. ASIN: B0000CILLF
- ISBN 0709073720
- ^ Johnston, Greg. 2004. Zoo-based conservation research around the world, page 16. The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia. Available at www.churchilltrust.com.au/res/.../Johnston%20Greg%202004.pdf
- ^ Procter, J.B. 1928. Palmato gecko rangei Anderson. Zoological Society of London Library, Artwork, ART 10000651. Indexed at http://library.zsl.org/
- ^ Bone, James. 1931. Letters dated 21 April 23 April and 18 May to Joan Procter, in Girton College Archive, Cambridge. Ref. GCPP Procter 5/2 (Former reference MSS 7). Summarised and indexed at http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0271%2FGCPP%20Procter%205%2F2%2F3
- ^ University of Glasgow. 2011. 'George Alexander', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851–1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database, available at http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1220041255
- ISBN 1873592159
- ^ Alexander, George. 1931. Marble sculpture: Joan Beauchamp Procter. Zoological Society of London, Artefact 1017, located in the Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo. Described and indexed at http://library.zsl.org/
- ^ Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London, page 215. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA
- ^ "ZSL Celebrates Dr Joan Procter for International Women's Day". Zoological Society of London (ZSL). 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Procter", p. 212).
External links
- Bailes, Howard. 2004. Procter, Joan Beauchamp (1897–1931), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (subscription required; free access for holders of a valid UK Library ticket).