Dr Baird and his feminine eponyms; biographical considerations and ostracod nomenclature

Abstract

An attempt is made to identify the female personalities behind the specific attributions of four of William Baird's Scottish ostracod species: viz. Philomedes brenda (Baird, 1850), Macrocypris minna (Baird, 1850), Cylindroleberis mariae (Baird, 1850) and Cypris joanna Baird, 1835. A Scottish borderer by birth, although he spent most of his career in the British Museum (Natural History), Baird (1803–1872) was co-responsible, with two older brothers, plus George Johnston (the Club's first President) and five other gentlemen, for establishing the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club in 1831. This is generally regarded as the first society of its kind. In common with most of his contemporaries, it seems that he held Sir Walter Scott's romantic works in high regard. Brenda and Minna are Shetland heroines from Scott's novel The pirate, which would tie in with these species' type localities being in the wild waters offshore from that archipelago. The suggestion is advanced that the other two names honour two ladies of high literary repute, who were also prominent associates of Walter Scott: Joanna Baillie and Maria Edgeworth (though it is possible though that the epithet mariae might also acknowledge Baird's wife, Mary). Both these writers, of plays, poetry and novels (respectively) were radical proto-feminists who espoused social reform. As such their views and reputation may have resonated with William Baird. His brother, the Revd John Baird of Kirk Yetholm, became famous for espousing the rights of gypsies. William Baird's biography is considered in the context of his social contacts in the Scottish borders. Various associations between these ladies, Sir Walter Scott, the Baird family and the type localities of these ostracods are brought forwards in support of these contentions.