Francis Charles Robert Jourdain


The Reverend Francis Charles Robert Jourdain M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., was a notable British amateur ornithologist and oologist. He was primarily known for his extensive research into the breeding biology of the birds of the Palaearctic region. He also had interests in the food of British birds and their geographical distribution and strongly encouraged detailed and accurate record keeping in local ornithology. Known for his temper, he came be known by the nickname Pastor Pugnax. He was a founder of the British Oological Association, which changed its name after his death to the Jourdain Society in his memory.

Early years

Jourdain was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, the eldest son of Rev. F. Jourdain, vicar of Ashbourne-cum-Mapleton. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and ordained in 1890. Following two curacies in Suffolk he was appointed vicar of Clifton-by-Ashbourne in 1894. In 1914 he was appointed rector of Appleton, near Abingdon-on-Thames, where he stayed until he retired in 1925.

Ornithology

He did not publish his first ornithological paper until 1899. From 1900 he went on an ornithological expedition abroad almost every year until his death, which resulted in a number of papers on the birds of the countries he visited. While at Appleton he actively encouraged ornithological study at Oxford University, welcoming interested students to his home. In 1922 he founded the Oxford Ornithological Society and was president until his retirement in 1925. This society led in later years to the formation of the British Trust for Ornithology and the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology. He organized and led the Oxford University Spitsbergen Expedition in 1921.
Jourdain produced several ornithological papers, although many were started but never finished, and authored or contributed to a number of books, notably the sections on Breeding-habits, Distribution Abroad and Food in the Handbook of British Birds. He was assistant editor of British Birds, the "illustrated magazine devoted to the birds on the British list", from 1909 onwards. He was also assistant editor of The Ibis from 1931 onwards and co-editor of The Oologists Record from 1935 onwards. He joined the British Ornithologists' Union in 1899, serving on the committee including as vice-President in 1934, joined the British Ornithologists' Club in 1905, was a member of the British List Committee for many years and was a founding member of the British Oological Association, of which he was president from 1932–39. He was also a member of the International Ornithological Committee, an Honorary Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union and an Honorary Member of the ornithological societies of France, Germany, Holland and Hungary.
He led the first Oxford University Expedition to Spitzbergen and travelled extensively in Europe and North Africa. He served as President of the Oxford Ornithological Society and was associated with many other ornithological bodies.
Jourdain gained a reputation for his temper and went by the nickname of Pastor Pugnax. He retired in 1925, initially to Norfolk and then to Southbourne in Bournemouth two years later. He continued active field ornithology, writing and regularly attending ornithological gatherings right up until his death.
Jourdain died in Southbourne on 27 February 1940.

Publications

In addition to many ornithological papers, books he authored or coauthored include: