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Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay

1852 – 1921

British ornithologist

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About Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay

Lived 1852 – 1921 (aged 69). Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay was a British naturalist and ornithologist.

Colonel Robert George Wardlaw-Ramsay (25 January 1852 – 22 April 1921) was a British Army officer and naturalist.

Early life Wardlaw-Ramsay's father was Robert Balfour Wardlaw-Ramsay while his mother Louisa was the third daughter of George, eighth Marquess of Tweeddale. He studied at Cheam and Harrow before joining the Hampshire Regiment in January 1871 to be stationed in India, Afghanistan and Burma.

Ornithology Wardlaw-Ramsay's interest in birds began as a young boy and in 1872 (aged 20) he was elected a member of the British Ornithologists' Union and was later (1913-1918) to become its president. He was also a Fellow of the Zoological Society. During his various army postings he took a great interest in the local ornithology. He was a nephew of Arthur Hay, 9th Marquess of Tweeddale and inherited a large collection of over 20,000 bird skins that was later presented to the British Museum. He also edited The Ornithological works of Arthur 9th Marquis of Tweeddale (1881) and towards the end of his life was writing a Guide to the birds of Europe and North Africa (1923) which was published posthumously.

He was married to the elder daughter of Charles Swinton Hogg, Administrator-General of Bengal. He actively corresponded with other ornithologists in the region and many of his notes were published by Allan Octavian Hume in Stray Feathers.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Harrow School
Positions held
Chairperson, President of the British Ornithological Union, Deputy lieutenant of midlothian
Awards
Fellow of the Zoological Society of London
Also known as
Ramsay, Robert Wardlaw-Ramsay of Whitehill and Tillicoutry, Robert George Wardlaw-Ramsay of Whitehill and Tillicoutry

People in Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay?

British ornithologist (1852–1921)

When was Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay born?

Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay was born on 25 January 1852 in Whitehill.

When did Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay die?

Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay died on 22 April 1921.

What was Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay's occupation?

Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay was a naturalist and ornithologist.

What nationality was Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay?

Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay

· Wikidata: Q3346295

· DBpedia: Robert George Wardlaw-Ramsay

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay. https://biography.guide/robert-george-wardlaw-ramsay/

MLA: "Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-george-wardlaw-ramsay/.

Chicago: "Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-george-wardlaw-ramsay/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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