The Amazing World of James Hector Explorer, Doctor, Geologist, Botanist, Natural Historian, and One of New Zealand's Most Remarkable Figures
, by Nathan, Simon; Varnham, Mary; Campbell, Hamish- ISBN: 9780958275071 | 0958275076
- Cover: Paperback
- Copyright: 9/1/2009
Within seven and a half years of his arrival in New Zealand at the age of 28, James Hector had founded and was in charge of all the country's major scientific institutions. Today these institutionsunder their modern names GNS Science, the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and the Royal Society of New Zealandstill form the scientific backbone of New Zealand. The first biography of this pioneer, this compelling celebration shows Hector as an inspired scientist who researched and wrote on a variety of topicsranging from the geology of coal fields to the fossil skeletons of whalesan avid botanist whose name is borne by 13 plant species, and a geologist who produced maps of enduring quality. His extraordinary life and work is vividly celebrated in this anthology of essays from New Zealand's foremost scientists and his own descendents.