Biography

Sir Sidney Frederic Harmer (1862-1950), knight and zoologist, was born in Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk, on 9 March 1862. He was educated at Amersham Hall, Reading, and at seventeen won a mathematical scholarship to University College, London, where he studied natural sciences. He subsequently went to King's College, Cambridge, where he had a distinguished career as exhibitioner, scholar, and fellow. He obtained first classes in both parts (1882 and 1883) of the natural sciences tripos. In 1885 Harmer became university lecturer in advanced invertebrate morphology, and five years later became superintendent of the University Museum of Zoology. Harmer was appointed keeper of zoology at the British Museum (Natural History) in 1907 and from 1919 to 1927 was its director. Harmer died at his home, 5 Grange Road, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, on 22 October 1950.

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