# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Patterson, Robert (1802-1872)

​PATTERSON, ROBERT (1802–1872), naturalist, eldest son of Robert Patterson, a Belfast merchant, by Catharine, daughter of David Jonathan Clarke, K.C., of Dublin and Portarlington, and widow of a Mr. Keine of Dublin, was born in Belfast on 18 April 1802. He received his education there chiefly at the academy and at the Royal Academical Institution. In 1818 he was apprenticed to his father's business. His leisure he devoted to the study of natural history, and especially to the investigation of the fauna and flora of the country around Belfast. In 1821 he joined seven other gentlemen in founding the ‘Natural History Society of Belfast,’ which, under the name of ‘The Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society,’ still pursues a vigorous career. In connection with this society Patterson delivered numerous lectures, some of which were published. He was its president for many years, and took a foremost part in the erection of its museum in 1830–1. His connection with it for half a century was commemorated in 1871 by the presentation to him of an illuminated address in recognition of his labours ‘in popularising the general study of natural history and in advancing it to its rightful place as a recognised branch of school education.’
His first work, ‘Letters on the Insects mentioned by Shakespere,’ the substance of which had been given in a series of lectures before the Belfast Natural History Society, appeared in 1838. In 1846 he published his ‘Zoology for Schools, first part,’ which was followed in 1848 by the second part, and later on by two small volumes, ‘First Steps to Zoology: part i. Invertebrate Animals; part ii. Vertebrate Animals.’ In 1853 appeared his large coloured ‘Zoological ​Diagrams.’ All these works had a very wide circulation, and gave a valuable stimulus to the study of zoology in schools. Patterson was also a frequent contributor to several scientific journals. In the ‘Zoologist’ he in 1843 published a dissertation on ‘The Reptiles mentioned by Shakespere.’ He wrote also for the ‘Magazine of Natural History,’ and contributed papers to the Royal Irish Academy, several of which are preserved in its ‘Transactions.’
Patterson was one of the earliest and most zealous members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 1839 was appointed one of the secretaries of the section of natural history, an office which he held till 1844. When the association met in Belfast in 1852, he acted as local treasurer. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and of several other learned bodies.
In Belfast, where he enjoyed universal respect, Patterson meanwhile took an active part in the working of various local institutions. He was one of the founders of the ‘Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,’ and a specially zealous promoter of the interests of the ‘Belfast Society for Promoting Knowledge,’ of the Royal Botanic Gardens, and of his old school, the Royal Academical Institution. For twelve years, 1858–70, he was one of the Belfast harbour commissioners. In 1865 he retired from business. He died on 14 Feb. 1872 at his residence, College Square, Belfast. He was buried in the city cemetery, where a handsome granite monument marks his grave. In the first presbyterian (unitarian) church, of which he was an attached member, there is also a mural tablet erected to his memory by his sons.
Patterson married, in 1833, Mary Elizabeth, youngest daughter of William Hugh Ferrar, stipendiary magistrate of Belfast. By her he had eleven children, six daughters and five sons. The latter all engaged in commerce in Belfast. An excellent work by one of them, Mr. Robert Lloyd Patterson, on ‘The Birds, Fishes, and Cetacea of Belfast Lough,’ is well known. Another, Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I.A., compiled a ‘Glossary of the Provincialisms of the Counties of Antrim and Down,’ which was published by the English Dialect Society.
[Information supplied by Mr. Richard Patterson, J.P., and Mr. R. L. Patterson, J.P., sons of the subject of this notice; obituary notice in the Northern Whig of 15 Feb. 1872; personal knowledge.]
T. H.