Edward William Brayley

Edward William Brayley FRS (1801 – 1 February 1870) was an English geographer, librarian, and science author.

Early life Brayley was born in London, the son of Edward Wedlake Brayley, a notable antiquary, and his wife Anne (c. 1771–1850). His early schooling, in the company of his brothers Henry and Horatio was private and sheltered. His upbringing was austere with little contact with other children or the world outside his home. He later studied at the London Institution and the Royal Institution under William Thomas Brande.

Brayley abandoned an early inclination to follow his father's interests for science. He published on diverse topics in several scientific journals including the Philosophical Magazine, for which he became an editorial assistant between 1823 and 1844. In 1829 and 1830, Brayley was employed by Rowland Hill to lecture on the physical sciences at his schools as Hazelwood, Edgbaston, Birmingham and Bruce Castle, Tottenham, London.

Offices and honours Founder member of the Zoological Society; Ferdinand von Mueller named the Australian rainforest tree, Flindersia brayleyana in his honour.