A Naturalist at Sea : The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, 1858-1941, 1942-1945 (bulk 1942): Finding Aid

Biography of George Seaver

The Reverend George Seaver was an Anglican vicar and biographer. Born in Cheltenham, England in 1890, Seaver was ordained in 1925. Beginning in 1946, he served as bishop's vicar at Kilkenny (St. Canice's) Cathedral in Kilkenny, Ireland, and in 1950, he was appointed Dean of Ossory and rector of Kilkenny. He continued in these duties, while also serving as canon of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, until retiring in 1957. George Seaver died in Ireland in 1976.

Aside from his ministerial duties, Seaver wrote several biographies of British naturalists and Antarctic explorers. Between 1933 and 1948, he published three works on Edward Adrian Wilson: Edward Wilson of the Antarctic: Naturalist and Friend, 1933; Edward Wilson: Nature-lover, 1937; and The Faith of Edward Wilson, 1948. In between his second and third studies of Wilson, Seaver also published 'Birdie' Bowers of the Antarctic in 1938 and Scott of the Antarctic: A Study in Character in 1940.

Description of Contents

A Naturalist at Sea: The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, 1858-1941, comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 212 leaves, was written in 1942. David Wilson-Barker was a British naturalist, merchant mariner, and Royal Navy Reserve officer. The memoir spans from Wilson-Barker's entry into the Royal Navy Reserve in 1873 to his death in 1941. The volume focuses on Wilson-Barker's interests in nature and meteorology while serving as a mariner, including his experiences traveling in Australia, Brazil, the Persian Gulf, and Massawa. The memoir also covers Wilson-Barker's command of the Thames Nautical Training College's training ship, H.M.S. Worcester (formerly Frederick William).

The memoir, bearing the full title of A Naturalist at Sea: The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, R.D., R.N.R., R.F.Met.S., F.R.S.Edin., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., 1858-1941, is divided into the following chapters and appendixes: Prologue; outward bound; Australia; Australia to Brazil; Australia to California; Cape Verde Islands and the Persian Gulf; trip to Massawa; Brazil; command of the Worcester; command of the Worcester (continued); sundry other activities; the Gambia; last years; characteristics; epilogue; appendix 1: cable ships and cable-laying; appendix 2: a winter in Massawa; appendix 3: the present position of ocean meteorology; appendix 4: clouds; and appendix 5: the connection of meteorology with other sciences.

Included is an October 1945 note regarding the distribution of copies of memoir.

Arrangement

A Naturalist at Sea: The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, 1858-1941 comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

A Naturalist at Sea: The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, 1858-1941 is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of George Seaver and Trinity House in 1945. Accession No. 107445.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to the works of George Seaver can be found in the George Seaver Collection at the Scott Polar Research Institute Archives, University of Cambridge.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

A Naturalist at Sea: The Life of Captain Sir David Wilson-Barker, 1858-1941, MS 172

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Description of 'Seaver, George, George Seaver collection, 1929-1949. Scott Polar Research Institute Archives, University of Cambridge. GB 15 GEORGE SEAVER' on the Archives Hub website, [https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb15-georgeseaver], (date accessed : May 19, 2020)

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in May 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Australia -- Description and travel
• Brazil -- Description and travel
• Cables, Submarine
• Frederick William (Ship-of-the-line)
• Great Britain. Royal Naval Reserve
• Horn, Cape (Chile) -- Description and travel
• Marine meteorology
• Mits'iwa (Eritrea) -- Description and travel
• Persian Gulf Region -- Description and travel
• Seamanship
• Wilson-Barker, David, 1858-1841

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Memoirs