A. Maitland Emmet

Who was A. Maitland Emmet?

Lieutenant Colonel A. Maitland Emmet was an amateur entomologist and a former schoolmaster who taught Latin, English and Ancient Greek. He was a former President of the British Entomological and Natural History Society, a former President of the Amateur Entomologists' Society, and a Vice-President of the Royal Entomological Society, having been elected a fellow of that Society in 1984. Among other positions held in relation to his entomological work are:

⁕Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London

⁕Member of Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica

Maitland Emmet was author, co-author or editor of a number of works devoted to entomological topics, but his best-known publication is The Scientific Names of the British Lepidoptera: Their History and Meaning, which is considered the definitive work of its kind. As well as an in-depth analysis of scientific names, this work covers in considerable detail the detective work required to shed light upon the work of past taxonomists, several of whom took delight in setting convoluted puzzles for their peers. A quote from Maitland Emmet's book in this respect is apposite and illuminating:

⁕"Scientific names have much in common with crossword puzzles. The nomenclator is the setter; he searches for a name that is neat and appropriate and if he can mystify his fellow entomologists, he will derive sadistic pleasure in so doing"