James Charles Dale

Who was James Charles Dale?

James Charles Dale was a wealthy English naturalist who devoted almost all of his adult life to entomology.

James Dale was the son of wealthy landowners. He received his education at Cambridge University receiving his MA in 1818. He was a friend of James Francis Stephens, frequently mentioned in that author's Illustrations of British Entomology and of John Curtis who refers to him frequently in his British Entomology. Another close friend was the Irish entomologist Alexander Henry Haliday. The references are mainly to Coleoptera though Dale worked on all Orders.

His first note, on Lepidoptera was published, in the Magazine of Natural History in 1830. This was followed by some 83 further notes and articles covering a wide range of topics.

He was elected a member of the first Entomological Society of London on 25 June 1822. He was appointed High Sheriff of Dorset for 1843.