Charles Waterton papers, 1830 -- 1837

Charles Waterton was born on June 3, 1782 in Wakefield, England, to a prominent noble family. In the early 19th century, Waterton traveled throughout South America and the United States, visiting and overseeing his family's plantations there; Waterton's travels throughout the two continents would later influence his work as a naturalist. Upon returning to Europe in 1830, Waterton traveled throughout the continent, surveying flora and fauna throughout England, Belgium, France, and Italy. During these travels, Waterton published a series of influential essays on natural history, mixing both biological and ecological observations with personal autobiography. These travels also coincided with Waterton's entrance into theological debates, in which he vigorously defended Catholicism against attacks or critiques by Anglican writers (the pamphlet draft held in this collection is an example of such writing).

In the mid-1840s, Waterton returned to his familial home, Walton Hall, where he began a series of environmental reforms: preserving local woodlands, improving drainage systems, and advocating against pollution from nearby factories and industrial areas; much of his work at Walton became a model for later 19th century British environmentalists. Charles Waterton passed away May 27, 1865, and was buried near Walton Hall.