Lot 717

Description

New Zealand Institute For Scientific Research, Sir James Hector Medal, struck in bronze (64mm), by Allan Wyon, inscribed on edge '1935 Professor W.B.Benham D.S.C., F.R.S., F.R.S.N.Z., for Researches in New Zealand Zoology' (M.-; S.490). Extremely fine.

In a custom made, fitted wooden presentation box, with brass panel inscription 'Presented By The/Royal Society of N.Z. 1935'.

Sir William Blaxland Benham KBE FRS (1860-1950) was a New Zealand zoologist. He was born in Isleworth, Middlesex, England on 29 March 1860. He studied at Marlborough College and London University and taught before moving to New Zealand in 1898. He was a member of the 1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition. He retired in 1936 and was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1939.

Sir James Hector died in 1907, and the medal was provided from funds collected in the various centres to commemorate his scientific work. The medal has been awarded annually by the Royal Society of New Zealand, since 1912. The reverse design was the inspiration for the Maori warrior depicted on the New Zealand shilling coin issued between 1933 and 1965.