J. C. Daniel (naturalist)
Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel | |
---|---|
Born | Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India | 9 July 1927
Died | 23 August 2011 Mumbai, India | (aged 84)
Known for | The Book of Indian Reptiles and A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | Bombay Natural History Society |
Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel (9 July 1927 – 23 August 2011), or J. C., as he was known,[1] was an Indian naturalist from Nagercoil, and the author of several acclaimed books on birds, mammals, and reptiles.[2]
Life and work
[edit]Influenced early in his life by Sálim Ali, he had a long association with the Bombay Natural History Society, where he served as a curator from 1950, and was then its first director. After retirement in 1991, he was elected an Honorary Member and was also its Honorary Secretary.[citation needed]
His books include The Book of Indian Reptiles and A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries. He co-authored Indian Wildlife – Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised Ali's Book of Indian Birds for its 12th edition, published in 1996.[3]
He was also executive editor of the society's journal and the initiator of the Hornbill magazine.[citation needed]
He was diagnosed with cancer and died in Mumbai on 23 August 2011.
Legacy
[edit]J. C. Daniel is commemorated in the scientific name of species of lizard, Bronchocela danieli.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire". Sanctuary Asia Interviews. April 2000. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Conservationist JC Daniel dies of cancer". The Times of India. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ Ali, Salim; J.C. Daniel (1983). The Book of Indian Birds, Twelfth Centenary Edition. New Delhi: Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Daniel, J.C.", p. 65).