Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (1807–1894) was an English sculptor and natural history artist best known for his work on the life-sized models of dinosaurs at the Crystal Palace Park in London, which were among the first attempts to represent extinct animals as full-sized, three-dimensional forms. His pioneering efforts in visualizing prehistoric life have left a lasting impact on paleontology and public understanding of dinosaurs.
Early Life and Education
Hawkins was born on February 8, 1807, in London, England. His father was an artist and drawing teacher, which likely influenced young Benjamin's early interest in art and natural history. Hawkins attended St. Aloysius College, where he showed a keen interest in drawing and sculpture.
Early Career
Hawkins began his career as a natural history artist, illustrating various scientific texts and working with some of the leading naturalists of his time. He produced illustrations for works such as "The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle" and contributed to publications by Sir Richard Owen, the eminent British paleontologist who later played a significant role in Hawkins' career.
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Hawkins' most famous work began in the early 1850s when he was commissioned to create life-sized models of dinosaurs for the Crystal Palace Park in Sydenham, London. This project was initiated by Sir Richard Owen, who provided the scientific guidance for the models. The Crystal Palace had been relocated from Hyde Park to Sydenham after the Great Exhibition of 1851, and the park's organizers wanted to include educational and entertaining exhibits.
The models, which included representations of Iguanodon, Megalosaurus, and Hylaeosaurus, among others, were groundbreaking. Hawkins built these models using a framework of steel and bricks, covered with cement, which was then sculpted to depict the dinosaurs' forms based on the best scientific knowledge of the time. The unveiling of these models in 1854 was a major public event, attended by dignitaries and scientists.
Later Work and American Projects
In the 1860s, Hawkins was invited to the United States to create similar models for the planned Paleozoic Museum in New York City's Central Park. Unfortunately, this project was never completed due to political and financial issues, culminating in the destruction of his workshop and models by political opponents of his patron, William "Boss" Tweed.
Despite this setback, Hawkins continued to work in the United States, lecturing on paleontology and producing illustrations for scientific publications. He collaborated with leading American paleontologists such as Joseph Leidy and Edward Drinker Cope.
Legacy
Hawkins returned to England in the 1870s, where he continued to be involved in various scientific and artistic projects until his death on January 27, 1894. His contributions to paleontology, particularly his innovative methods of visualizing extinct creatures, were significant. The Crystal Palace dinosaurs remain a historic and educational landmark, reflecting both the scientific understanding and artistic creativity of the mid-19th century.
Hawkins' work bridged the gap between science and the public, making complex and abstract scientific concepts accessible and engaging. His legacy lives on in the continued public fascination with dinosaurs and the field of paleoart, which owes much to his pioneering efforts.
References
- Naish, D. (2013). "The Great Dinosaur Discoveries." A&C Black.
- McCarthy, T. (2007). "The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge." Simon and Schuster.
- Farlow, J. O., & Brett-Surman, M. K. (Eds.). (1997). "The Complete Dinosaur." Indiana University Press.
- Wallace, J. (2014). "The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs: The Story of the World's First Dinosaur Park." CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.