Sir Peter Markham Scott CH. 14 September 1909—29 August 1989

Abstract

Conservationist, scientist, artist, author, broadcaster and sportsman, Sir Peter Scott was one of the leaders of the international conservation movement in the twentieth century. As founder of the Severn Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) he and his team initiated research into the movements, ecology and behaviour of migratory populations of wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans), which were poorly known at the time, while also developing captive breeding programmes to save species such as the Hawaiian goose from extinction. As a co-founder of the World Wildlife Fund (later the Worldwide Fund for Nature), Scott worked tirelessly to raise money for programmes to save many globally endangered animals, with a particular interest in birds and cetaceans. As chairman of the Survival Service Commission (later the Species Survival Commission) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Scott founded the IUCN red list , by which the level of threat to individual species and populations is measured. Through his writing and broadcasting, Scott connected with millions of ordinary citizens, raising awareness of the threat to biodiversity and the future wellbeing of mankind. A skilled wildlife artist, Scott painted throughout his life, held 16 one-man exhibitions of his work during his lifetime and illustrated numerous publications, including many of his own 23 books. Scott's sporting achievements included winning a bronze Olympic sailing medal and becoming British national gliding champion. He received a knighthood in 1973 for services to conservation and the environment, and was appointed Companion of Honour to Her Majesty the Queen in 1987.