John Berry (zoologist)

John Berry, CBE DL FRSE (1907-2002) was a Scottish zoologist and ecologist. He was the first Director of the Nature Conservancy (UK) for Scotland (1949 to 1967). He was the youngest and longest served Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh during the 20th century.

He was born on 5 August 1907, the son of William Berry of Tayfield, an advocate in Edinburgh. His father instilled in him a love of nature conservation and especially bird protection.

His mother died in his early youth and he was largely raised by aunts. He suffered from brittle bones and dyslexia.

John was sent to boarding school, being educated at Eton College in England, and then continuing on to Trinity College, Cambridge and then receiving a PhD at St Andrews University. Here he shared accommodation (and a love of birds) with Peter Scott, later to become one of Britain’s most loved ornithologists. During this time Berry was nicknamed ’’’Gooseberry’’’, due to his love and knowledge of geese. In 1936 he married fellow ornithologist, Bride Fremantle.

Upon graduation, Berry first found employment at University College, Dundee, researching the biology of fish, then moving to the University of Southampton. Here he came to the attention of Prof D’Arcy Thompson and was persuaded to study for a Doctorate at St Andrews University.

In 1936, aged only 29 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the youngest Fellow of the 20th century. Having 66 years service in the Society he was also the oldest Fellow and the longest served.

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