Ronald Henderson Hedley CB FZS (2 November 1928 – 11 July 2006) was a 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, animal kingdom, including the anatomy, structure, embryology, evolution, Biological clas ...

who was Director of the Natural History Museum from 1976 to 1988.

Career

Hedley was first employed at the

Natural History Museum A natural history museum or museum of natural history is a scientific institution with natural history collections that include current and historical records of animals, plants, fungi, ecosystems, geology, paleontology, climatology, and more. ...

in 1955. In 1971, he was appointed Deputy Director of the museum and in 1976 became Director of the museum. In 1988 Hedley retired from the Natural History Museum. From 1977 to 1980, Hedley was the honorary secretary of 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 ...

Personal life

Hedley was born on 2 November 1928 to Henry Armstrong Hedley and Margaret Hopper. He was educated at

Durham Johnston School Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is a secondary school in Durham, England. Introduction Durham Johnston is a 1700-place 11–18 school serving Durham, England, Durham City and communities beyond to the south and west. It is situated on Cr ...

, followed by King's College at

Durham University , mottoeng = Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1) , established = (university status) , type = Public , academic_staff = 1,830 (2020) , administrative_staff = 2,640 (2018/19) , chancellor = Sir Thomas Allen , vice_chan ...

(now

Newcastle University Newcastle University (legally the University of Newcastle upon Tyne) is a UK public university, public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England. It has overseas campuses in Singapore and Malaysia. The university is ...

), where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and a PhD in 1953. Hedley married Valmai Mary Griffith in 1957, the couple had one son. He died aged 77 on 11 July 2006.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hedley, Ronald Henderson 1928 births 2006 deaths 20th-century British zoologists Secretaries of the Zoological Society of London Directors of the Natural History Museum, London Companions of the Order of the Bath Alumni of King's College, Newcastle