Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: In 1896 when William Henry Flower took control of the Department he hired Richard Lydekker to rearrange the exhibitions , allowing Thomas to concentrate on these new specimens .
Simplified: In 1896 when William Henry Flower took control of the Department he hired Richard Lydekker to rearrange the exhibitions . This gave Thomas the time to concentrate on these new specimens .