DEATH OF LORD AVEBURY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1763, 30 May 1913, Page 5

DEATH OF LORD AVEBURY.

By Telegraph—Press AESOoiation—Copyright i London, May 28. Lord Avobury, who had been unwell for somo time, is dead; aged 79 years. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. A NOTABLE CAREER. Lord Avebury was born in London on April 3, 1834, and was the Eoil of Sir John Wm. Lubbock, a highly distinguished man of science. He was sent to Eton in 1815,. but three years later, when only fourteen years of age, was taken into his father's bank, becoming a partner when 22 years of ago. Ho succeeded to tho baronotcy in 1805. Lord Avebury was a keen scientist, and his love of science kept paco with his increasing participation in public affairs. He served on commissions upon coinage and other financial questions, and at the samo timo acted as president .of tho Entomological Society and of tho Anthropological Institute. Early in his career several banking reforms of considerable importance were due to his initiative, while such works as "Prehistoric Times" (18G5), and Ihe Origin of Civilisation" (1870) wore proceeding from his pen, In 1870 and again in 1874 he was elected a member of Parliament for Maidstowe. He lost his seat nt tho election of 1880, but was at onco elected member for London University, of frhich he had been vice-chancellor since 1872. Ho hold this seat until his elevation to the peerage in 1900. Lord Avebury carricd numerous enactments in Parliament, including tho Bank Holidays Act' (1871), and Bills dealing with absconding debtors, shop hours regulation, public libraries, mid the preservation of ancient monuments. Deceased was elected the first president of the Instituto of Bankers in 1879. was president of the British Association in 1881, and president of the Linnaean Society from 1881 to 188 G. He received honorary degrees from thp "Universities of Oxford,' Cambridge, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Wurzburg, and in 1878 was appointed a trustee of the British Museum. From 1888 to 1892 he was president of the London Chamber of Commerce, and from 1889 to 1890 vice-chair-man, and from 1890 to 1892 chairman of the London County Council. He also served on royal commissions on education and on gold and silver. In 1890 he was appointed a Privy Councillor, and was Chairman of the Committee of tho New Coinage in 1891. In January, 1900, he was raised to tho peerage under the titlo of Baron Avebury. Many other public positions, in addition to the foregoing, were .held by deceased at. various times. Lord Avobury had few rivals in his day ns a thoughtful populariser of natural history and philosophy. His writings include: "The Origin and Metamorphoses of Insects'.' (1873), "British Wild Flowers" (1875), "Ans. Bees, and Wasps" (18S2), "Flowers, Fruit, nml Leaves" (ISSG), "The Pleasures of Life" (1S87), "The Senses, Instincts, and Intelligence of Animals" (18S8), "The Beauties of Nature" (1892). "The Uses of Life" (1894), "On Seedlings," and tho "Primitive Condition of -Man," "The Scenery of Switzerland," "The Scenerv of England," "Coins and Currency," "Free-Trade," and numerous other works.