W. F. (William Forsell) Kirby

Born in Leicester in 1844, William Forsell Kirby was an English entomologist and folklorist. He developed an early interest in butterflies and moths, and over time became especially known for his work on stick insects, describing dozens of species and genera.

Kirby worked at the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society from 1867 and later joined the British Museum (Natural History) in London in 1879. He produced important catalogues and reference works on insects, including studies of butterflies and other groups, and remained active in the field until his retirement in 1909.

Alongside his scientific writing, he also wrote on folklore and mythology, which helps explain why his books can feel both scholarly and inviting. That mix of precise natural history and broad literary interests has kept his name alive for readers interested in both Victorian science and the history of popular nature writing.