(1769 - 1822)
Edward Daniel Clarke was born in Willingdon, Sussex; the son of an antiquary, traveller and vicar. From a young age he was interested in all aspects of natural history. At 16 he entered Jesus College, Cambridge and in 1795 became a fellow of the College, later moving to a residence within the grounds. In 1799 he began a tour of Europe with pupil John Marten Cripps. They passed through Sweden into Northern Finland, where Clarke created and launched a hot air balloon, before continuing to Greece. Clarke was ordained in 1805 and appointed the first professor of mineralogy at Cambridge University in 1807. From 1810 he published a six volume account of his ‘Travels in Various Countries...’. He died in London and is buried at Jesus College.
