Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell-Cotton, FZS, FRGS, FRAI, JP (20 September 1866 – 26 June 1940)[1] was an English explorer, hunter, most noted for the creation of the Powell-Cotton Museum in the grounds of his home, Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea, Kent, England. Powell-Cotton is noted for bringing an extraordinary number of animal specimens back from his travels across Africa, potentially creating the largest collection of game ever shot by one man.[2] Despite this, Powell-Cotton was an early conservationist, helping categorise a wide number of species across the globe. His two daughters, Antoinette Powell-Cotton and Diana Powell-Cotton shared his passion for conservation, pursuing archaeology and anthropology respectively.
Percy Powell-Cotton was born on 20 September 1866, in Garlinge, Margate, to Henry Horace Powell-Cotton and Matilda Christina (née Gordon).[3] Powell-Cotton had two siblings: a sister, Ida and a brother, Gerald. Most of Powell-Cotton’s early life was spent in London, although he joined his family on many weekend and summer trips to their home in Margate. Aged fifteen, Powell-Cotton helped his father modernise Quex House, before the family returned to live there. Whilst living there, Powell-Cotton began breeding chickens, hunting rabbits and photographing wildlife. He kept meticulous records of these endeavours, a habit that would follow him into later life.[4]
Military careerEdit
Powell-Cotton joined the Militia Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers in 1885, and attended the Hythe School of Musketry for training. During the Second Boer War, Powell-Cotton served in the Volunteer Regiment of the 5th Battalion, who were stationed in Malta. In July 1901, he retired from military service. However, at the outbreak of World War I in July 1914, Powell-Cotton offered himself up for military service. He was turned away as, at 48, he was considered too old to serve. In lieu of serving in the war, Powell-Cotton offered his home, Quex House, to the Birchington Volunteer Aid Detachment to use as an Auxiliary Military Hospital.[5]
ExpeditionsEdit
Powell-Cotton embarked on over 28 expeditions between 1887 and 1939, across Africa and Asia, gathering various zoological and ethnographical specimens[6]
In 1900, Powell-Cotton met with Emperor Menelik II, who granted him permission to hunt across Ethiopia. Powell-Cotton's subsequent expedition across Ethiopia formed the basis of his first book, A Sporting Trip Through Abyssinia.[7] In 1902 he was in Uganda and Kenya, visiting Lake Baringo.[8]
In November 1905, whilst on an expedition in Kenya, Powell-Cotton married Hannah Brayton Slater in Nairobi Cathedral. To save interrupting his ninth expedition, his new wife chose to join him on his expedition, for a honeymoon that lasted two years.[1]
In 1907, still on his honeymoon expedition, Powell-Cotton was badly mauled by a lion he had thought incapacitated by a precious shot. As he approached it, the lion leapt up and attacked with its claws and jaw.[1] Powell-Cotton escaped relatively unharmed due to a rolled up copy of Punch magazine in his breast pocket protecting him from the majority of the lion's attacks. The lion, the suit that Powell-Cotton was wearing and the copy of Punch are now all on display at the Powell-Cotton Museum.[4]
Powell-Cotton's expeditions directly led into the creation of the Powell-Cotton Museum. After bringing back a range of zoological specimens from his early travels, Powell-Cotton contracted Rowland Ward to prepare the animals for display. Whilst on an expedition through India in 1896, Powell-Cotton enlisted his brother Gerald to oversee the construction of the Powell Cotton Museum in the grounds of Quex House.[4]
Whilst on his expeditions, Powell-Cotton created a wide range of ethnographic films documentary the peoples and animals of the countries. In later life, he collaborated with his daughter Diana, who further added to the filmography after Powell-Cotton died.
The wide range of animal specimens that Powell-Cotton returned with from his travels have proved to be a valuable resource in taxonomic research, even in the present day. Consequentially, Powell-Cotton has several species named in honour of him.
BibliographyEdit
Powell-Cotton, P. H. G. (1902). A sporting trip through Abyssinia : a narrative of a nine months' journey from the plains of the Hawash to the snows of Simien, with a description of the game, from elephant to ibex, and notes on the manners and customs of the natives. Rowland Ward.[9]
Powell-Cotton, P. H. G. (1904). In unknown Africa; a narrative of twenty months' travel and sport in unknown lands and among new tribes. Hurst & Blackett.[10]
PublicationsEdit
Major Powell-Cotton, Notes on a Journey through East Africa and Northern Uganda Journal of the Royal African Society, Vol. 3, No. 12 (Jul. 1904), pp. 315–324
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, A Journey Through Northern Uganda The Geographical Journal, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Jul. 1904), pp. 56–65
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, A Journey Through the Eastern Portion of the Congo State The Geographical Journal, Vol. 30, No. 4 (Oct. 1907), pp. 371–382
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, Notes on a Journey through the Great Ituri Forest Journal of the Royal African Society, Vol. 7, No. 25 (Oct. 1907), pp. 1–12
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, 1. Notes on Crossbows and Arrows from French Equatorial Africa Man Vol. 29, (Jan. 1929), pp. 1–3
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, H. J. Braunholtz 132. A Mancala Board Called "Songo." Man, Vol. 31, (Jul. 1931), p. 123
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, 329. Benin Brass Castings and Handicrafts in the Cameroons. Man, Vol. 32, (Dec. 1932), p. 284
P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, 4. Note on the Native Custom of Carrying Stones in the Mouth, Collected Feb.-March 1932, French Cameroons. Man, Vol. 33, (Jan. 1933), pp. 9–10
^David Harris. "Biography information for Cotton at the Southern Sudan Project". Retrieved 9 September 2014.
^"Ethiopian Study Visit - Powell-Cotton Museum, Kent". Retrieved 9 September 2014.
^"Court Circular". The Times. No. 36811. London. 4 July 1902. p. 3.
^"A sporting trip through Abyssinia : a narrative of a nine months' journey from the plains of the Hawash to the snows of Simien, with a description of the game, from elephant to ibex, and notes on the manners and customs of the natives : Powell-Cotton, P. H. G. (Percy Horace Gordon), 1866-1940 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
^"In unknown Africa; a narrative of twenty months travel and sport in unknown lands and among new tribes : Cotton, Percy Horace Gordon Powell-, 1866- : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
October 16, 2023
percy, powell, cotton, major, percy, horace, gordon, powell, cotton, frgs, frai, september, 1866, june, 1940, english, explorer, hunter, most, noted, creation, powell, cotton, museum, grounds, home, quex, park, birchington, kent, england, powell, cotton, noted. Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell Cotton FZS FRGS FRAI JP 20 September 1866 26 June 1940 1 was an English explorer hunter most noted for the creation of the Powell Cotton Museum in the grounds of his home Quex Park in Birchington on Sea Kent England Powell Cotton is noted for bringing an extraordinary number of animal specimens back from his travels across Africa potentially creating the largest collection of game ever shot by one man 2 Despite this Powell Cotton was an early conservationist helping categorise a wide number of species across the globe His two daughters Antoinette Powell Cotton and Diana Powell Cotton shared his passion for conservation pursuing archaeology and anthropology respectively Percy Horace Gordon Powell CottonBorn 1866 09 20 20 September 1866Garlinge Margate EnglandDied26 June 1940 1940 06 26 aged 73 Midhurst Sussex EnglandEducationHythe School of MusketryOccupation s Hunter explorer conservationistSpouseHannah Brayton SlaterChildrenDiana Powell CottonAntoinette Powell CottonMary Powell CottonChristopher Powell CottonParent s Henry Horace Powell CottonMatilda Christina nee Gordon RelativesIda Powell CottonGerald Powell CottonPowell Cotton made a large number of films Powell Cotton filmography including ethnographic documentary and wildlife films Powell Cotton Ethnographic Films Contents 1 Early life 2 Military career 3 Expeditions 4 Bibliography 5 Publications 6 See also 7 ReferencesEarly life EditPercy Powell Cotton was born on 20 September 1866 in Garlinge Margate to Henry Horace Powell Cotton and Matilda Christina nee Gordon 3 Powell Cotton had two siblings a sister Ida and a brother Gerald Most of Powell Cotton s early life was spent in London although he joined his family on many weekend and summer trips to their home in Margate Aged fifteen Powell Cotton helped his father modernise Quex House before the family returned to live there Whilst living there Powell Cotton began breeding chickens hunting rabbits and photographing wildlife He kept meticulous records of these endeavours a habit that would follow him into later life 4 Military career EditPowell Cotton joined the Militia Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers in 1885 and attended the Hythe School of Musketry for training During the Second Boer War Powell Cotton served in the Volunteer Regiment of the 5th Battalion who were stationed in Malta In July 1901 he retired from military service However at the outbreak of World War I in July 1914 Powell Cotton offered himself up for military service He was turned away as at 48 he was considered too old to serve In lieu of serving in the war Powell Cotton offered his home Quex House to the Birchington Volunteer Aid Detachment to use as an Auxiliary Military Hospital 5 Expeditions EditPowell Cotton embarked on over 28 expeditions between 1887 and 1939 across Africa and Asia gathering various zoological and ethnographical specimens 6 In 1900 Powell Cotton met with Emperor Menelik II who granted him permission to hunt across Ethiopia Powell Cotton s subsequent expedition across Ethiopia formed the basis of his first book A Sporting Trip Through Abyssinia 7 In 1902 he was in Uganda and Kenya visiting Lake Baringo 8 In November 1905 whilst on an expedition in Kenya Powell Cotton married Hannah Brayton Slater in Nairobi Cathedral To save interrupting his ninth expedition his new wife chose to join him on his expedition for a honeymoon that lasted two years 1 In 1907 still on his honeymoon expedition Powell Cotton was badly mauled by a lion he had thought incapacitated by a precious shot As he approached it the lion leapt up and attacked with its claws and jaw 1 Powell Cotton escaped relatively unharmed due to a rolled up copy of Punch magazine in his breast pocket protecting him from the majority of the lion s attacks The lion the suit that Powell Cotton was wearing and the copy of Punch are now all on display at the Powell Cotton Museum 4 Powell Cotton s expeditions directly led into the creation of the Powell Cotton Museum After bringing back a range of zoological specimens from his early travels Powell Cotton contracted Rowland Ward to prepare the animals for display Whilst on an expedition through India in 1896 Powell Cotton enlisted his brother Gerald to oversee the construction of the Powell Cotton Museum in the grounds of Quex House 4 Whilst on his expeditions Powell Cotton created a wide range of ethnographic films documentary the peoples and animals of the countries In later life he collaborated with his daughter Diana who further added to the filmography after Powell Cotton died The wide range of animal specimens that Powell Cotton returned with from his travels have proved to be a valuable resource in taxonomic research even in the present day Consequentially Powell Cotton has several species named in honour of him Bibliography EditPowell Cotton P H G 1902 A sporting trip through Abyssinia a narrative of a nine months journey from the plains of the Hawash to the snows of Simien with a description of the game from elephant to ibex and notes on the manners and customs of the natives Rowland Ward 9 Powell Cotton P H G 1904 In unknown Africa a narrative of twenty months travel and sport in unknown lands and among new tribes Hurst amp Blackett 10 Publications EditMajor Powell Cotton Notes on a Journey through East Africa and Northern Uganda Journal of the Royal African Society Vol 3 No 12 Jul 1904 pp 315 324 P H G Powell Cotton A Journey Through Northern Uganda The Geographical Journal Vol 24 No 1 Jul 1904 pp 56 65 P H G Powell Cotton A Journey Through the Eastern Portion of the Congo State The Geographical Journal Vol 30 No 4 Oct 1907 pp 371 382 P H G Powell Cotton Notes on a Journey through the Great Ituri Forest Journal of the Royal African Society Vol 7 No 25 Oct 1907 pp 1 12 P H G Powell Cotton 1 Notes on Crossbows and Arrows from French Equatorial Africa Man Vol 29 Jan 1929 pp 1 3 P H G Powell Cotton H J Braunholtz 132 A Mancala Board Called Songo Man Vol 31 Jul 1931 p 123 P H G Powell Cotton 329 Benin Brass Castings and Handicrafts in the Cameroons Man Vol 32 Dec 1932 p 284 P H G Powell Cotton 4 Note on the Native Custom of Carrying Stones in the Mouth Collected Feb March 1932 French Cameroons Man Vol 33 Jan 1933 pp 9 10See also EditTaxonomic contributions of Major P H G Powell Cotton Powell Cotton Museum Quex Park Diana and Antoinette Powell Cotton List of famous big game huntersReferences Edit a b c Thanet Gazette Obituary of Major Percy Powell Cotton 28 June 1940 Spence Keith 1999 The Companion Guide to Kent and Sussex Boydell amp Breyer Ltd ISBN 978 1900639262 POWELL Cotton Percy Horace Gordon Who s Who Vol 59 1907 p 1422 a b c Major Percy Powell Cotton Entrance Hall Powell Cotton Museum Quex Park Birchington untitled Retrieved 9 September 2014 David Harris Biography information for Cotton at the Southern Sudan Project Retrieved 9 September 2014 Ethiopian Study Visit Powell Cotton Museum Kent Retrieved 9 September 2014 Court Circular The Times No 36811 London 4 July 1902 p 3 A sporting trip through Abyssinia a narrative of a nine months journey from the plains of the Hawash to the snows of Simien with a description of the game from elephant to ibex and notes on the manners and customs of the natives Powell Cotton P H G Percy Horace Gordon 1866 1940 Free Download amp Streaming Internet Archive Internet Archive Retrieved 9 September 2014 In unknown Africa a narrative of twenty months travel and sport in unknown lands and among new tribes Cotton Percy Horace Gordon Powell 1866 Free Download amp Streaming Internet Archive Internet Archive Retrieved 9 September 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Percy Powell Cotton amp oldid 1160005534, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
