Edward Forbes

Born: February 12, 1815; Douglas, Isle of Man
Died: November 18, 1854; Wardie, Edinburgh
Fields of study: Marine biology, oceanography, paleontology, systematics (taxonomy), zoology
Renowned for his research in ocean life, British zoologist Forbes advanced the field of paleontology through analyzing specimens he collected when he served as the naturalist on a voyage of HMS Beacon to Asia Minor. He systematically catalogued much of the sea life he encountered on this trip. His most notable books are his History of British Starfishes (1841) and his four-volume collaboration with Sylvanus Hanley, History of British Mollusca (1853).