Alexander Morrison Stewart (1861–1948): noteworthy naturalist from Paisley, Scotland

Abstract

Attention is drawn to the contribution made by Alexander Morrison Stewart to the natural history of the Paisley area in the early part of the twentieth century. From humble beginnings and while working on Paisley pattern textiles designs, Stewart rose to prominence as a naturalist in Renfrewshire, primarily from his interest in entomology. He founded the Paisley Naturalists' Society and held several positions within its ranks. Despite being a prolific writer of articles in local newspapers and the author of five books on insects and general natural history, he remains little-known nowadays. He networked with other local naturalists, notably the Reverend Charles A. Hall, to whose “Peeps at nature” series he contributed two lepidopteran titles. He donated a substantial butterfly collection to the Paisley Museum and was an advocate of the so-called “Paisley Method” of setting butterflies. An accomplished artist, he was much attached to the Firth of Clyde islands of Arran and Cumbrae, visiting them often for holidays spent sketching and collecting.