Joseph Morewood Dowsett (14 May 1864 - 2 April 1955) F.R.G.S., F.Z.S. was an English big-game hunter, naturalist and writer. From the 1930s, Dowsett took interest in animal welfare.
J. Morewood Dowsett | |
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Born | 14 May 1864 |
Died | 2 April 1955 | (aged 90)
Occupation(s) | Naturalist, writer |
Dowsett was born in London. He contributed to The English Review, The Telegraph, The Morning Post and The Times.[1] In 1883, Dowsett joined the Civil Service in New Zealand but soon resigned and took up wild-game hunting.[2] Dowsett hunted big-game in Africa, Albania, Canada, Iceland and New Zealand. He described his experiences in his book Big Game and Big Life, published in 1925. A review in The Geographical Journal concluded that "the book is quite interesting, and in some parts distinctly amusing, though perhaps a little egoistical."[3]
In 1942, Dowsett authored The Romance of England's Forests a well-illustrated book dealing with forests of England through the ages.[4]
In his later years, Dowsett supported animal welfare. He became associated with the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society and at a meeting in 1934, gave a speech opposing rodeo performances.[5]
In 1936, he authored Animal Life Yesterday and To-Day, which campaigned against cruelty to animals and vivisection.[6]