White, Gilbert (1720-07-18 - 1793-06-26)

Gilbert White was born on 18 July 1720 at Selborne, Hampshire. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, graduating B.A. in June 1743. He became a Fellow in 1744, retaining his Fellowship until his death. On 27 April 1747, White was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Shortly after, he was appointed curate at Swarraton, Hampshire. In 1751, he became curate of Farringdon, Hampshire. He spent most of his life in Selborne, where he died in 1793. White is best known for his work as a naturalist and for publishing The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789), which has never been out of print.