EDWARDS

edwards, george (1693-1773), english naturalist, was born at stratford, essex, on the 3rd of april 1693. in his early years he travelled extensively over europe, studying natural history, and gained some reputation for his coloured drawings of animals, especially birds. in 1733, on the recommendation of sir hans sloane, he was appointed librarian to the royal college of physicians in london. in 1743 he published the first volume of his _history of birds_, the fourth volume of which appeared in 1751, and three supplementary volumes, under the title _gleanings of natural history_, were issued in 1758, 1760 and 1764. the two works contain engravings and descriptions of more than 600 subjects in natural history not before described or delineated. he likewise added a general index in french and english, which was afterwards supplied with linnaean names by linnaeus himself, with whom he frequently corresponded. about 1764 he retired to plaistow, essex, where he died on the 23rd of july 1773. he also wrote _essays of natural history_ (1770) and _elements of fossilogy_ (1776).