We were watching a TV programme on BBC4 last night about preserving heritage in the UK, and learned from this programme that Sir John Lubbock (a leading figure in the heritage movement during the Victorian and Edwardian eras) had a pet wasp.
So, well, we were quite struck by this story.
I mean, we’ve sometimes seen them in pet shop windows before, but have never gone in to ask if they make good pets, how much they cost, will they get on okay with the cat and dog, etc.
But as we’re always keen to check facts, we thought we’d do a quick search in the Archive for a story about Sir John and his wasp – just to make sure it’s not a “shaggy wasp’s tale”.
Lo and behold, we found this newspaper story from 1898 about Sir John’s pet wasp.
Hmm, now we just need to find out what his name was (the wasp, that is)…
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Morpeth Herald – Saturday 08 October 1898
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000344/18981008/022/0002
4 comments On Sir John Lubbock and His Pet Wasp – He Was a Wasp Good and True!
Was this Sir John Lubbock of the family from Norfolk?
Hi Sandra, I really couldn’t say, Sandra. I only found out about this via a TV programme recently. Best regards, Grant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lubbock,_1st_Baron_Avebury
The family hailed from Lammas in Norfolk and Sir John called his house in Chislehurst, 1861, after the village. This is the Sir John Lubbock who introduced bank holidays to this country amongst many other achievements. He also trained his dog to read!
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for this.
Please excuse me while I pick myself back up from the floor…
Um, he taught his dog to read?!
Regards,
Grant.