Alan Cathcart, 3rd Earl Cathcart

Alan Frederick Cathcart, 3rd Earl Cathcart (1828–1905) was a wealthy landowner and writer on agriculture. Cathcart introduced the term "economic ornithology" at a time when there was a public debate over whether the English sparrow was a pest or a friend of the farmer.

Early life

Cathcart was the second, but eldest surviving, son of Charles Cathcart, 2nd Earl Cathcart and the former Henrietta Mather (second daughter of Thomas Mather). His father was the Commander-in-Chief, Scotland and of North America and served as the Governor General of Canada. When the Volunteer Force was formed he was appointed on 7 July 1860 as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Administrative Battalion of Yorkshire North Riding Rifle Volunteers (later the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Green Howards), and became its Honorary Colonel on 17 June 1871; he was awarded the Volunteer Officers' Decoration. After he left the Regular Army he devoted himself to agriculture and county business in Yorkshire. Cathcart was president of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1872–1873. He owned 5554 acres.