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Joan Beauchamp Procter (5 August 1897 – 20 September 1931) was a notable British
zoologist Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and dis ...
, internationally recognised as an outstanding
herpetologist Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning "reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (gymnophiona)) and rept ...
. She worked initially at the
British Museum (Natural History) The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum a ...
and later for the
Zoological Society of London The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. It was founded in 1826. Since 1828, it has maintained the London Zoo, and since 1931 Whipsnade Park. History On 29 ...
, as the first female Curator of Reptiles at
London Zoo London Zoo, also known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for science, scientific study. In 1831 o ...
. Her short life was afflicted by chronic ill-health, but she undertook substantial taxonomic work and made significant innovative contributions to veterinary practice and zoo displays. She also wrote scientific and popular zoological articles, including early accounts of the behaviour of captive
Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis''), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. It is the largest extan ...
s.


Early life

Joan Procter was born in London on 5 August 1897, at 11
Kensington Square Kensington Square is a garden square in Kensington, London, W8. It was built from 1692 on land acquired for the purpose in 1685 and is the oldest such square in Kensington. The houses facing, Nos. 1–45, are listed Grade II for their architectur ...
, the daughter of Joseph Procter, a stockbroker, and Elizabeth Procter (née Brockbank), an artist. Her grandfather William Brockbank was a lover of art and also an amateur botanist and geologist. Family interests in the arts and sciences influenced both Joan and her sister Christabel Prudence Goldsmith Procter (1894–1982). The family homes had large gardens, which facilitated the sisters’ childhood pursuits in natural history. Christabel became Estate Manager at
Bryanston School Bryanston School is a public school (English independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13–18) located next to the village of Bryanston, and near the town of Blandford Forum, in Dorset in South West England. It was founded in 1928. ...
in Dorset and Garden Steward at
Girton College Girton College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. The college was established in 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon as the first women's college in Cambridge. In 1948, it was granted full college status ...
, Cambridge. While still at
Norland Place School Norland Place School is a co-educational independent preparatory school for boys and girls 4–11 in Holland Park, London. The school was founded in 1876 by Emily Lord. History Founded in 1876 by Emily Lord, Norland Place School originally ...
(1904–1908), Joan Procter developed a special interest in
amphibian Amphibians are four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arborea ...
s and reptiles. From the age of ten she kept several snakes and lizards as pets. She became familiar with all the British species of reptile. A large Dalmatian lizard was a special pet, which travelled everywhere with her and sat on the table beside her at mealtimes.Anon. 1931. Obituary: Miss Joan Procter – A zoologist of genius, ''The Times'', London, 21 September, page 14. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/ She was a sickly child, but, as a twelve-year-old, she spent an active six months in
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
enjoying dancing, tobogganing, and botany. This was the only time when she was relatively free of the chronic intestinal illness that afflicted her throughout the rest of her life. Her fascination with reptiles developed further during her time at
St Paul's Girls' School St Paul's Girls' School is an independent day school for girls, aged 11 to 18, located in Brook Green, Hammersmith, in West London, England. History St Paul's Girls' School was founded by the Worshipful Company of Mercers in 1904, using part o ...
,
Hammersmith Hammersmith is a district of West London, England, southwest of Charing Cross. It is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. I ...
(1908–1916). When she was sixteen, she acquired a young crocodile as a pet and took it with her to school, resulting in consternation in a mathematics lesson. She was said to be a "brilliant" student, but her education was frequently interrupted because of chronic ill-health. Although she showed great promise, illness led to her abandoning the idea of going to
Cambridge University , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
.


The British Museum (Natural History)

Joan Procter's enquiries about reptiles brought her to the attention of
George Albert Boulenger George Albert Boulenger (19 October 1858 – 23 November 1937) was a Belgian-British zoologist who described and gave scientific names to over 2,000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Boulenger was also an active botani ...
, then Keeper of Reptiles and Fishes at the
British Museum (Natural History) The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum a ...
and he encouraged her interest. When she left school, Boulenger invited her to work under his direction and in 1916 she became his assistant, working at the museum in
South Kensington South Kensington, nicknamed Little Paris, is a district just west of Central London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically it settled on part of the scattered Middlesex village of Brompton. Its name was supplanted with th ...
in a voluntary capacity.Anon. 1923. Woman Curator of Reptiles: Appointments at the Zoo, ''The Times'', London, 19 July, page 9. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/ Mentored by him, she was able to engage in academic zoology although she lacked university qualifications. At the age of nineteen, she presented her first scientific paper, on variations of a Central and South American species of
pit viper The Crotalinae, commonly known as pit vipers,Mehrtens JM (1987). ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. . crotaline snakes (from grc, κρόταλον ''krotalon'' castanet), or pit adders, are a subfa ...
, to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and in August 1917 she was elected as a Fellow of the Zoological Society (FZS). When Boulenger retired in 1920, she took sole charge of reptiles at the museum and received a small stipend for her work Between 1917 and 1923 she conducted research and wrote a series of scientific papers on the anatomy, classification and habits of reptiles and amphibians. Notable amongst these is her study of an East African tortoise, now known as ''Malacochersus tornieri'', which is able to conceal itself in rock crevices because of its flexible carapace. She corresponded widely, establishing her reputation with scientists around the world, and formally described many animals collected by others. In 1923,
William Bateson William Bateson (8 August 1861 – 8 February 1926) was an English biologist who was the first person to use the term genetics to describe the study of heredity, and the chief populariser of the ideas of Gregor Mendel following their rediscover ...
sought her support for his critique of
Paul Kammerer Paul Kammerer (17 August 1880, in Vienna – 23 September 1926, in Puchberg am Schneeberg) was an Austrian biologist who studied and advocated Lamarckism, the theory that organisms may pass to their offspring characteristics acquired in their li ...
’s controversial work on the
midwife toad Midwife toads are a genus (''Alytes'') of frogs in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae), and are found in most of Europe and northwestern Africa. Characteristic of these toad-like frogs is their parental care; the males carry a string ...
(''Alytes''). Although Procter was "not averse to war with Kammerer", she believed there was insufficient material to assist Bateson on this issue. Much of her work at the museum entailed formally describing animals collected by others. She was elected as a Fellow of the
Linnean Society of London The Linnean Society of London is a learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy. It possesses several important biological specimen, manuscript and literature colle ...
(FLS), in recognition of the high quality of this taxonomic work. She also became a member of the
Bombay Natural History Society The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), founded on 15 September 1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It supports many research efforts through grants and publi ...
. Joan Procter was also an accomplished draughtswoman and modeller. At the museum, she made models for display cases and combined her artistic flair with scientific accuracy in a series of paintings of amphibians and reptiles that were reproduced in colour as postcards.


Zoological Society of London

Joan Procter's artistic and technical abilities became known within the Zoological Society, mainly through her friendship with George Boulenger's son, Edward G. Boulenger, who had been the society's Curator of Reptiles since 1911. By early 1923 he had responsibility for developing the new Aquarium at London Zoo and, although she was still employed at the British Museum (Natural History), Procter assisted him for several months, by building scale models of the new aquarium tanks and applying her artistry to designs for their rock-work and backgrounds. She met Sir
Compton Mackenzie Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie, (17 January 1883 – 30 November 1972) was a Scottish writer of fiction, biography, histories and a memoir, as well as a cultural commentator, raconteur and lifelong Scottish nationalist. He was one of t ...
, who provided large quantities of shell sand for the Aquarium from the Channel Island of
Herm Herm (Guernésiais: , ultimately from Old Norse 'arm', due to the shape of the island, or Old French 'hermit') is one of the Channel Islands and part of the Parish of St Peter Port in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is located in the English ...
. Later that year, Edward Boulenger was appointed as Director of the Aquarium and Joan Procter was appointed his successor as Curator of Reptiles.Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1929. ''Centenary History of the Zoological Society of London'', page 82. Zoological Society of London, London. ASIN: B0006AQ4YA In correspondence with
Karl Patterson Schmidt Karl Patterson Schmidt (June 19, 1890  – September 26, 1957) was an American herpetologist. Family Schmidt was the son of George W. Schmidt and Margaret Patterson Schmidt. George W. Schmidt was a German professor, who, at the time of Karl ...
in Chicago, Procter confided that she was pleased to leave the Natural History Museum because conditions there were unfavourable to women.


Design work at London Zoo

Following her success with the aquarium, she designed rock-work for outdoor areas at the Zoo, including the Antelope Paddock. She made models of the extensive rock structures for Monkey Hill (1924–1925) which was built on the site of the present Animal Hospital.Brambell, M. R., and Sue J. Mathews, in Solly Zuckerman, (ed.). 1976. ''The Zoological Society of London 1826–1976 and Beyond : Proceedings of a symposium held at the Zoological Society of London, 25–26 March 1976'' (Symposia of the Zoological Society of London, No. 40), page 151. Academic Press, London. The large troop of
hamadryas baboon The hamadryas baboon (''Papio hamadryas'' ) is a species of baboon within the Old World monkey family. It is the northernmost of all the baboons, being native to the Horn of Africa and the southwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula. These reg ...
s established there proved very popular with visitors and, in Joan Procter's lifetime, Monkey Hill was considered a success. (Later, the social dynamics of the baboons became too problematic to resolve; the hill was then used for goats, and briefly for
rhesus macaque The rhesus macaque (''Macaca mulatta''), colloquially rhesus monkey, is a species of Old World monkey. There are between six and nine recognised subspecies that are split between two groups, the Chinese-derived and the Indian-derived. Generally b ...
s, before being closed and demolished shortly after the second world war). Lasting success was achieved by Joan Procter's design for the Reptile House (built 1926–1927). It was the first purpose-built building of its type in the world and is still in use. She designed rock-work and pools for the reptile enclosures and a theatrical scenic artist, John Bull, was employed to execute her designs for naturalistic back-scenes. Although external Italianate features were added by the architect Sir Edward Guy Dawber, the basic structure, floor plan and exhibit details of the Reptile House were entirely the work of Joan Procter.
Peter Chalmers Mitchell Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell (23 November 1864 – 2 July 1945) was a Scottish zoologist who was Secretary of the Zoological Society of London from 1903 to 1935. During this time, he directed the policy of the Zoological Gardens of London and c ...
, then Secretary of the Zoological Society, recorded that "from the beginning to the end it was her house". It incorporated many of Procter's new technological ideas. It pioneered the use of 'Vita-glass', which allowed natural
ultraviolet Ultraviolet (UV) is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10 nm (with a corresponding frequency around 30  PHz) to 400 nm (750  THz), shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiatio ...
light, needed by reptiles for the synthesis of
Vitamin D Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological effects. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 ( ...
, to reach the animals and several of other sophisticated features (such as the directional circulation of visitors, differential electrical heating of enclosures, and aquarium principle lighting) that were subsequently adopted in other zoo buildings. Later, she collaborated with Peter Chalmers Mitchell on the design brief for the Main Gate (1928), which is also attributed to Sir Edward Guy Dawber. It remains in use, largely unaltered.


Handling dangerous animals

Joan Procter became expert in the routine handling of animals such as large
python Python may refer to: Snakes * Pythonidae, a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia ** ''Python'' (genus), a genus of Pythonidae found in Africa and Asia * Python (mythology), a mythical serpent Computing * Python (pr ...
s,
crocodilia Crocodilia (or Crocodylia, both ) is an order of mostly large, predatory, semiaquatic reptiles, known as crocodilians. They first appeared 95 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period ( Cenomanian stage) and are the closest living ...
ns and
Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis''), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a member of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. It is the largest extan ...
s. The first two live Komodo dragons to arrive in Europe were exhibited in the Reptile House at London Zoo when it opened in 1927.Chalmers Mitchell, Peter. 1927. Reptiles at the Zoo: Opening of new house today, ''The Times'', London, 15 June, page 17. Available at http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/ She established an extraordinary rapport with these animals, demonstrating that their behaviour in captivity could be contrary to their popular image as dangerous predators. She was well aware that "they could no doubt kill one if they wished, or give a terrible bite", but good care, feeding and routine handling resulted in dragons described "as tame as dogs and even seem to show affection". The dragon named Sumbawa became Joan Procter's particular pet and accompanied her when she walked around the Zoo; often she ‘steered’ it by holding the tail. It was tame with visitors, including young children; a photograph in one of her published articles shows Sumbawa next to a two-year-old child who appears to be patting the reptile on its head. In 1928, she demonstrated this animal at a Scientific Meeting of the Zoological Society, feeding it chicken, eggs and a pigeon by hand while she stroked and patted it. She worked closely with the Zoological Society's pathologist to identify diseases and became expert at treating sick animals, although sometimes she needed assistance: A Komodo dragon "required three strong keepers to hold it while she opened its mouth". Using special equipment of her own design, she successfully carried out a range of veterinary procedures many of which "had not hitherto been attempted".


National and international recognition

As the first female Curator of Reptiles at London Zoo, Joan Procter attained considerable celebrity status in a short time. At her home in St. Mark's Square, near the Zoo, she kept a pet
chimpanzee The chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes''), also known as simply the chimp, is a species of great ape native to the forest and savannah of tropical Africa. It has four confirmed subspecies and a fifth proposed subspecies. When its close relative the ...
, called Johnnie. She kept several live reptiles in her drawing room, including dangerous snakes (in glass enclosures). The image of an unusually interesting young woman responsible for exotic and dangerous animals was promoted in the popular press on both Britain and the United States. Joan Procter published widely in scientific books and journals. She also wrote popular accounts, particularly in J. A. Hammerton’s ''Wonders of Animal Life''. Through her publications and correspondence with other scientists she became internationally recognised as a leading herpetologist and on 28 March 1931 she was awarded an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Science (DSC), by the
University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, U of C, or UChi) is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. Its main campus is located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the be ...
, in recognition of her achievements.


Ill health and early death

Chronic ill-health persisted throughout Joan Procter’s adult life and she underwent several surgical operations. She displayed great determination and good humour, but all of her achievements were accomplished against a background of constant pain. In 1928, after five years of intensive activity at London Zoo, serious illness prevented further work and she decided to resign from her post.
Herbrand Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford Herbrand Arthur Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford, (19 February 1858 – 27 August 1940) was an English politician and peer. He was the son of Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford, and his wife Lady Elizabeth Sackville-West, daughter of George Sac ...
, as President of the Zoological Society, refused to accept her resignation. In 1928,
Peter Chalmers Mitchell Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell (23 November 1864 – 2 July 1945) was a Scottish zoologist who was Secretary of the Zoological Society of London from 1903 to 1935. During this time, he directed the policy of the Zoological Gardens of London and c ...
involved her in planning for the new zoological park that was then being developed at
Whipsnade Whipsnade is a small village and civil parish in the county of Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, about 4.2 km south-south-west of Dunstable on the top of the Dunstable Downs which drop away steep ...
and he sent her to stay there, at Hall Farm,Huxley, Elspeth. 1981. ''Whipsnade: Captive breeding for survival'', page 49. Collins, London. while she was recuperating from her illness. Every morning she rode on a donkey or a pony from Hall Farm to the edge of the Downs. The track she followed still exists within
Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, formerly known as Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, is a zoo and safari park located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of two zoos (the other being ZSL London Zoo in Regent's Park, London) that are ...
, named in her memory, as "Miss Joan’s Ride". Joan Procter's involvement with large, potentially dangerous animals continued in her final years. At Whipsnade she had a close encounter with an escaped
brown bear The brown bear (''Ursus arctos'') is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America. In North America, the populations of brown bears are called grizzly bears, while the subspecies that inhabits the Kodiak Islands of Alaska is kn ...
, which she captured by enticing it with some honey before shutting it in a lavatory. Towards the end of her life, when she could only get around the grounds of London Zoo in an electric wheelchair, she was still often accompanied by a 3-metre-long Komodo dragon on a leash. Although seriously ill, she continued to work intermittently, painting in watercolours and planning articles for
the Manchester Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
. She died from cancer at her home in St Mark's House, St Mark's Square, London NW1, on 20 September 1931, aged 34.


Commemoration

George Alexander, who carved the reptiles on the stone architrave around the entrance to the Reptile House, later sculpted a marble bust of Joan Procter which was exhibited in 1931 at the
Royal Academy of Arts The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...
in London. Subsequently, presented to the Zoological Society, it is displayed with a commemorative bronze plaque at the entrance to the Reptile House at London Zoo. Alexander's carved reptiles are said to have "satisfied Miss Procter’s meticulous desire for scientific accuracy as well as artistic beauty" and the bust evidently meets similar criteria, being described as "the best likeness of her". For
International Women's Day International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against wom ...
in 2014 the Zoological Society of London celebrated the achievements of Joan Procter, also publishing a picture of Joan Procter and of one of her tame Komodo dragons on its website. Two species of reptiles have been named in honour of Joan Procter: a snake, '' Buhoma procterae'' (genus '' Buhoma'', formerly ''Geodipsas procterae''); and a tortoise, ''Testudo procterae'' (synonym of '' Kinixys spekii'' ).Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael. 2011. ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. xiii + 296 pp. . ("Procter", p. 212).


References


External links

* Bailes, Howard. 2004. Procter, Joan Beauchamp (1897–1931), ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (subscription required; free access for holders of a valid UK Library ticket). {{DEFAULTSORT:Procter, Joan Beauchamp 1897 births 1931 deaths People educated at Norland Place School Women herpetologists 20th-century British zoologists British herpetologists Employees of the Natural History Museum, London Fellows of the Linnean Society of London Fellows of the Zoological Society of London 20th-century British women scientists