Robert Patterson was born in Belfast, was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and entered the family business. He became interested in the study of natural history and was one of the eight founders of the Belfast Natural History Society, serving as its president for many years. He discovered, during dredging excursions, several forms of marine life. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the Royal Irish Academy, and he published numerous works, including Zoology for Schools and First Steps to Zoology. He also published Letters on the Insects Mentioned in Shakespere. He was one of the earliest members of the British Association.

Born:	18 April 1802
Died:	14 February 1872