3-003-779 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Professor Quekett, 1861. Engraving from a photograph by Maull and Polyblank. 'At the early age of sixteen he gave lectures on microscopic science, illustrated by diagrams, and a microscope of his own making...his superior attainments as an anatomist, especially in minute dissections and microscopical investigations, led to his permanent appointment in the Hunterian Museum [of which he became Curator]. He was there principally occupied in extending and arranging the series of microscopical preparations commenced by himself...which last year numbered...upwards of fifty thousand specimens: these have been mostly prepared by his own hands...He held the office of President of the Microscopical Society of London, of which he was one of the founders...His great experience in all matters relating to microscopical science and vast extent of information made his opinion of peculiar value...Physiological science and the medical profession have sustained a great loss in this excellent and indefatigable man...He was carried off by a cruel disease, at the early age of forty-six, much too soon to enable him to make any provision for his [family], whom he leaves behind to deplore the irreparable loss of an amiable husband and most indulgent parent'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.