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Post by africaone on Jan 22, 2017 11:16:04 GMT
Just received it :
d’ABRERA – BERNARD LAURANCE (28 August 1940 – 13 January 2017), in Melbourne.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 22, 2017 11:21:27 GMT
Rest in peace ! A controversial scientist and personality but a butterfly lover for sure !
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Post by nomad on Jan 22, 2017 11:43:17 GMT
Sad news. He contribution to the study of World Lepidoptera was huge. He certainly will not be forgotten.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 22, 2017 12:18:03 GMT
Oh dear, very sad to hear this news. He recently had some heart surgery and he contacted me a few weeks ago to ask if I liked his final book having got out of hospital and seemingly recovered.
I will always remember several months of tea with Bernard nearly every day in BMNH in 1980.
RIP Bernard. If he is lucky he will have been right, and God will reward him for his opinions wherever he has gone. Meanwhile evolutionary biologists will carry on as usual.
Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 22, 2017 12:20:31 GMT
africaone,
Is his middle name Laurance, Laurence, or Lawrence? I have never seen the name spelt the first way.
Adam.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2017 13:31:34 GMT
Very sad news
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 22, 2017 14:10:15 GMT
I thought it would be appropriate to post a photo of the title page of his last book which he very kindly sent me gratis (I only paid the shipping costs) and signed for me. Adam.
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Post by bobw on Jan 22, 2017 16:27:01 GMT
I wondered when this news would come out; I was asked to keep it quiet when I heard last Tuesday.
He was a divisive character but it's a shame to hear that he's gone. As Adam said, if he was right he'll now be rewarded.
Bob
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Post by africaone on Jan 22, 2017 19:39:20 GMT
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 22, 2017 20:28:37 GMT
I will try to find out, although it may take time.
However I noticed this on the right of the page:
"NEWS FROM SRILANKA & AUSTRAILIA".
I have never seen Australia spelt that way before.
Adam.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 22, 2017 21:06:20 GMT
Rest in peace Mr. D'abrera. A man of Science who broadened our knowledge and appreciation of Lepidoptera thru your tireless efforts....
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Post by mygos on Jan 22, 2017 21:42:56 GMT
Sad news, RIP Bernard !
A+, Michel
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 22, 2017 22:15:34 GMT
After many months of silence Bernard sent me an e-mail on 16th December, and it seems that he wanted to use me to explain his life's work. As a result I feel it is appropriate for me to post this part of his e-mail here for everyone to read. I am not defending his opinions but I feel it is only fair to let everyone decide for themselves what they think of him and his work:
... d'Abrera's works (which began in 1965) were the first fully illustrated and written works of their kind by a single author/illustrator, since Seitz, who employed several authors and at least two dozen illustrators and colourists. They are also the first and only work to have perfect synchrony between text and plates, and to figure photographic images in colour, of primary types of one sort or another. The works were also entirely self-funded, each title paying for the next. Thirty five volumes later, the author and his wife are in a nett loss situation, the only way we survive being my previous earnings as a teacher, and my pension coming to our rescue. I know the whole thing is my choice, but if there are any lacunae, it is because of circumstances relating to the recovery of Europe and the world following the 2nd World War. When I first began my work in 1965, WW2 had ended just 20 years earlier!!! Modern colour photography was still a bit primitive. There is also the matter of my critics joyfully trotting out all these modern ("superior to d'Abrera") works, little realising that they were all built on the foundations d'Abrera began two or three decades earlier. Those 'modern' works were all accomplished with grants, benefactions or salaries, and do not figure types or other historical material.
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Post by polygonia on Jan 22, 2017 23:48:37 GMT
After many months of silence Bernard sent me an e-mail on 16th December, and it seems that he wanted to use me to explain his life's work. As a result I feel it is appropriate for me to post this part of his e-mail here for everyone to read. I am not defending his opinions but I feel it is only fair to let everyone decide for themselves what they think of him and his work: ... d'Abrera's works (which began in 1965) were the first fully illustrated and written works of their kind by a single author/illustrator, since Seitz, who employed several authors and at least two dozen illustrators and colourists. They are also the first and only work to have perfect synchrony between text and plates, and to figure photographic images in colour, of primary types of one sort or another. The works were also entirely self-funded, each title paying for the next. Thirty five volumes later, the author and his wife are in a nett loss situation, the only way we survive being my previous earnings as a teacher, and my pension coming to our rescue. I know the whole thing is my choice, but if there are any lacunae, it is because of circumstances relating to the recovery of Europe and the world following the 2nd World War. When I first began my work in 1965, WW2 had ended just 20 years earlier!!! Modern colour photography was still a bit primitive. There is also the matter of my critics joyfully trotting out all these modern ("superior to d'Abrera") works, little realising that they were all built on the foundations d'Abrera began two or three decades earlier. Those 'modern' works were all accomplished with grants, benefactions or salaries, and do not figure types or other historical material. I have met Bernard and his wife Lucille while visiting BMHH in London in 2004. With profound sadness I learned today of his passing. We became a long time friends, even that we were on the opposite side of the globe! Wonderful people. May the force be with Bernard! Joe Belicek, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. SaveSave
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 22, 2017 23:50:12 GMT
I fully support Mr. d'Abrera's comments regarding his life's work and endearing passion. His contributions to this science have indeed been huge (as stated by Nomad); and his pioneering efforts on many levels have helped pave the way for others to build upon. He sacrificed unselfishly his time, finances, and acquired personal knowledge for the betterment and understanding that all lepidopterists now enjoy. We may never see another individual with such fortitude, commitment, and unwavering passion as Bernard d'Abrera for quite some time. Hopefully, respect for the man and his tireless efforts will only grow in the coming years.
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