An Exquisite Legacy

by George W. Gibbs

The biography of one of New Zealand’s greatest naturalist-artists, G. V.Hudson. George Hudson, 1867-1946, was one of New Zealand’s pioneer naturalists, who devoted his life to collecting and describing the New Zealand insect fauna. He amassed what is probably the largest collection of New Zealand insects, now housed at Te Papa. Hudson also wrote seven books on insect fauna between 1898 and 1946, each illustrated in colour with immaculate paintings of the specimens, a total of over 3100 paintings, mainly focused on months and butterflies.

An Exquisite Legacy is a biography of Hudson, written by his grandson Dr George Gibbs, himself a prominent entomologist. Gibbs outlines the life of this naturalist and artist, whose dedication and output was truly remarkable. Hudson remained an amateur naturalist his whole life, but his contribution to our knowledge about the New Zealand insect world is of enduring significance, while his artistic legacy, built up over nearly seven decades, is truly remarkable. This extensive collection of exquisite illustrations is without parallel in New Zealand.

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this biography of George Hudson is the first chance for most people to see his exquisite artwork. Up until now, his books have been valuable collectors’ items unavailable to most people. A foreword by Courtney Johnston, Chief Executive of Te Papa Tongarewa, provided in recognition of the importance of this book, and the significance of the Hudson Collection at Te Papa.

Dr George Gibbs has published four books on New Zealand insects, numerous scientific papers, and the now classic volume on New Zealand biogeography, Ghosts of Gondwana (Potton & Burton, 2006, revised and expanded in 2016).

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Professor in school of Biological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington. (Located in New Zealand)

Research interests

The New Zealand insect fauna and its biogeographic history, with special emphasis on primitive Lepidoptera (Micropterigidae, Mnesarchaeidae), butterflies and weta (Deinacridinae).

Reviews

[Carol Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a dedicated entomologist who described thousands of New Zealand insects over more than 60 years. The author is George Hudson's grandson which gives a nice personal touch to the story. The illustrations are outstanding.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Hudson was a Victorian era naturalist who combined artistic talent with scientific observation - all in his spare time. He published many illustrated books about New Zealand nature during his lifetime. This biography reproduces many of his original illustrations and does justice to them in a way that earlier reproduction methods couldn't do. George Hudson's interests covered everything from figuring out what a New Zealand glow worm actually is, to setting up a small space observatory in his garden, to being the first proponent of day light saving. The author, George W. Gibbs is a renowned New Zealand entomologist who also happens to be George Hudson's grandson. As such he was able to both include family insights and set George Hudson in context of the New Zealand science community.
The illustrations are exquisite and the I am sure that the author will be satisfied that he has not only lived up to the legacy, but now shared it with the world in a way that thoroughly does justice to his grandfather.