An Interactive Annotated World Bibliography of Printed and Digital Works in the History of Medicine and the Life Sciences from Circa 2000 BCE to 2022 by Fielding H. Garrison (1870-1935), Leslie T. Morton (1907-2004), and Jeremy M. Norman (1945- ) Traditionally Known as “Garrison-Morton”

15961 entries, 13944 authors and 1935 subjects. Updated: March 22, 2024

DONOVAN, Edward

11 entries
  • 9087

The natural history of British insects; explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, oeconomy, &c. Together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope. The whole illustrated by coloured figures, designed and executed from living specimens. 16 vols.

London: Printed for the author, 17921813.

Includes a total of 576 plates, of which 568 were colored.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › England (United Kingdom), NATURAL HISTORY › Illustration, ZOOLOGY › Arthropoda › Entomology
  • 7659

Instructions for collecting and preserving various subjects of natural history; as animals, birds, reptiles, shells, corals, plants, &c. Together with A treatise on the management of insects in their several states; selected from the best authorities.

London: printed for the author; and sold by Messrs. Rivingtons, 1794.

Digital text available from ECCO TCP Eighteenth Century Collections Online at this link.



Subjects: MUSEUMS › Natural History Museums / Wunderkammern, NATURAL HISTORY
  • 9086

The natural history of British birds; or, a selection of the most rare, beautiful and interesting birds which inhabit this country: The descriptions from the Systema naturae of Linnaeus; with general observations, either original or collected from the latest and most esteemed English ornithologists; and embellished with figures, drawn, engraved, and coloured from the original specimens. 10 vols.

London: Printed for the Author...., 17941819.

The first 5 volumes were issued in monthly parts, each consisting of 2 plates and accompanying text. A volume came out each year between 1794 and 1798; the fifth volume stated: "This work being now completed." However, five additional volumes, numbered 6-10, were published between 1816 and 1819. Donovan based some of his descriptions and illustrations on the bird specimens he acquired from the Leverian Museum. He issued a companion work, The natural history of the nest and eggs of British birds, begining in 1826. This remained unfinished at his death, with just 5 parts (of an anticipated 24 parts) completed.

Digital facsimile from the Biodiversity Heritage Archive, Internet Archive at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › England (United Kingdom), NATURAL HISTORY › Illustration, ZOOLOGY › Ornithology
  • 9082

An epitome of the natural history of the insects of China: Comprising figures and descriptions of upwards of one hundred new, singular, and beautiful species: together with some that are of importance in medicine, domestic economy, &c. The figures are accurately, drawn, engraved, and coloured, from speciemsn of the insects; the descriptions are arranged accordig to the system of Linnaeus, with references to the writings of Fabricius, and other systematic authors.

Printed for the Author, by T. Bensley, 1798.

The first work in a Western language on the insects of China, including pharmaceutical aspects. For this work Donovan obtained specimens and information from George Macartney a British envoy to China. Includes 50 colored plates, which are the first western depiction of Chinese insects.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › China, People's Republic of, NATURAL HISTORY › Illustration, PHARMACOLOGY › PHARMACEUTICALS, ZOOLOGY › Arthropoda › Entomology
  • 9084

An epitome of the natural history of the insects of India, and the islands in the Indian seas: Comprising upwards of two hundred and fifty figures and descriptions of the most singular and beautiful species, selected chiefly from those recently discovered, and which have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are accurately drawn, engraved, and coloured, from specimens of the insects; the descriptions are arranged according to the system of Linnaeus; with references to the writings of Fabricius, and other systematic authors.

London: Printed for the Author by T. Bensley, 1800.

"For Insects of India Donovan described and figured specimens in his own cabinet, that were originally collected by the late Duchess of PortlandMarmaduke Tunstall, a Governor Holford (many years resident in India), a Mr. Ellis, George Keate, a Mr. Yeats, and a Mr. Bailey. He also studied the collections of John FrancillonMr. Drury and Alexander Macleay. His patron was Joseph Banks. It is the first illustrated publication dealing with the entomology of India. The exact publication date, stated on the title page as being 1800, is also unclear as most plates are later; for example, the plate for Cicada indica is dated Feb 1, 1804. Many of the butterflies figured are from the Americas. In the works of Fabricius on which the Epitome was based "Indiis" confusingly refers to the West Indies or northern South America" (Wikipedia)

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › India, NATURAL HISTORY › Illustration, ZOOLOGY › Arthropoda › Entomology
  • 9090

The natural history of British shells, including figures and descriptions of all the species hitherto discovered in Great Britain, systematically arranged in the Linnean manner, with scientific and general observations on each. 5 vols.

London: Printed for the Author...., 18001804.

Digital facsimile from the Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › England (United Kingdom), ZOOLOGY › Illustration, ZOOLOGY › Malacology
  • 9089

The natural history of British fishes, including scientific and general descriptions of the most interesting species, and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured plates. Taken entirely from original drawings, purposely made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the most part whilst living. 5 vols.

London: Printed for the Author...., 18021808.

"the paint is laid on so thickly that it is frequently impossible to see the engraved lines underneath. The already rich colouring is heightened by the addition of burnished highlights, albumen overglazes and metallic paints to give an overall effect reminiscent of the work of a miniaturist. Surprisingly, these techniques were often combined to produce a very pleasing and delicate effect: the multiple ruses of the colourist triumph over the draughtsman's numerous failures. Donovan overreached himself and died penniless ." (Dance, Art of natural History p. 87)



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › England (United Kingdom), ZOOLOGY › Ichthyology, ZOOLOGY › Illustration
  • 9085

An epitome of the natural history of the insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite, and other islands in the Indian, Southern, and Pacific oceans: Including the figures and descriptions of one hundred and fifty-three species of the more splendid, beautiful, and interesting insects, hitherto discovered in those countries, and which for the most part have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are correctly delineated from specimens of the insects; and with the descriptions are arranged according to the Linnæan system, with reference to the writings of Fabricius and other entomologists.

London: Printed for the Author...., 1805.

"Apart from occasional excursions in England and Wales Donovan never left London. His Insects of New Holland is based on specimens collected by Joseph Banks and William Bayly an astronomer on the second and third voyages of James Cook, specimens in the collection of Dru Drury and other private collections as well as his own museum. It is the first publication dealing exclusively with the insects of Australia. In the preface Donovan writes "There is perhaps, no extent of country in the world, that can boast a more copious or diversified assemblage of interesting objects in every department of natural history than New Holland and its contiguous island". Most of the plates depict butterflies together with exotic plants. Donovan often used thick paints, burnished highlights, albumen overglazes and metallic paints. These covered the engravings (from his own copper plates, Donovan personally undertook all steps of the illustration process for his books, the drawing, the etching and engraving and the handcolouring) which are not visible. At other times the fineness of his engraving and etching is apparent giving his illustrations the appearance of being watercolours" (Wikipedia).

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › Australia, COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › New Zealand, COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › South Pacific, ZOOLOGY › Arthropoda › Entomology, ZOOLOGY › Illustration
  • 7658

Catalogue of the Leverian Museum : part I[-VI] ... the sale of the entire collection by Messrs. King and Lochee will commence on Monday, the 5th of May, 1806 at twelve o'clock.

London: Hayden, Printer, 1806.

Auction catalogue in six parts. Digital facsimile from Biodiviersity Heritage Library at this link. Facsimile reprint, London: Harmer Johnson and John Hewett, 1979 with a 69-page manuscript appendix of an extra five days and a manuscript index of the buyers' names. The sale lasted sixty-five days without intermission, excepting Sundays and the King's birthday. The reprint also included a reproduction of the 1790 Companion to the museum (No. 7657).



Subjects: MUSEUMS, MUSEUMS › Natural History Museums / Wunderkammern
  • 7685

Catalogue of the principal objects of curiosity [in the collection of Edward Donovan] contained in the London Museum and Institute of Natural History, Catherine Street, Strand, now open to the inspection of the public.

London: Rivington, 1808.


Subjects: MUSEUMS › Natural History Museums / Wunderkammern, NATURAL HISTORY
  • 9083

Natural history of the insects of China, containing upwards of two hundred and twenty figures and descriptions by E. Donovan. A new edition, brought down to the present state of the science, with systematic characters of each species, synonyms, indexes, and other additional matter by J. O. Westwood.

London: Henry G. Bohn, 1842.

Digital facsimile from the Biodiversity Heritage Archive at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › China, People's Republic of, NATURAL HISTORY › Illustration, ZOOLOGY › Arthropoda › Entomology