Selborne

Selborne is a village in Hampshire, England, about 50 miles from London, with a population of about 650.

Related Topics:
Hampshire - England - London

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It is famous for its association with the 18th century naturalist, Gilbert White (1720–1793), who wrote The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. First published in 1789, the book has not been out of print in over 200 years, and is one of the most widely published and translated works in the English language after the Bible and Shakespeare. White is recognised as being the first naturalist or environmentalist. Most of his observations on wildlife remain pertinent, although he did have some strange theories; most notorious is his belief that martins and swifts hibernated beneath the surface of the local ponds. White was writing before seasonal migration was understood.

Related Topics:
18th century - Naturalist - Gilbert White - 1720 - 1793 - 1789 - English language - Bible - Shakespeare - Environmentalist - Wildlife - Migration

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White's contemporary, Sullivan Black, wrote poetry in a five-line verse-form which predates Edward Lear's popularisation of the limerick by about a century. Many of Black's verses cast humorous and frequently scurrilous light on the life and loves of the people of Selborne and surrounding villages.

Related Topics:
Edward Lear - Limerick

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White's home, The Wakes, has been converted into a museum, known as Gilbert White's House. This museum also contains the Oates Museum and family archive. This comprises an exhibition relating to the life of Captain Lawrence Oates, who died on Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated expedition to Antarctica in the early twentieth century, and Frank Oates, his uncle. Frank Oates was an explorer and naturalist, who mounted expeditions in the late 19th century into East Africa and South America.

Related Topics:
Lawrence Oates - Robert Falcon Scott - Antarctica - 19th century

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The Wakes was substantially refurbished and updated in 2003–04. The costs of £1.3m were covered by a mixture of personal, institutional and charity grants amounting to 50%, matched by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is open throughout the year, attracting an annual average of 30,000 visitors. This turnover helps to support two pubs and a thriving village shop, which the resident population alone would make unviable. Many people combine their visit to The Wakes with one to the Jane Austen House in nearby Chawton.

Related Topics:
2003 - 04 - National Lottery - Pubs - Jane Austen - Chawton

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Across the street from the Wakes visitors will find Plestor House. Although not open to the public (it is a private residence) it is interesting for many reasons, not the least of which being that it was sketched by Gilbert White and featured in his aforementioned book. It was also home to Sullivan Black.

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Selborne is surrounded by land owned by the National Trust and is distinguished by being recognised as an "Area of Outstanding National Beauty". As such, development is strictly controlled.

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