Gould and his contribution to science

Gould's two great contributions to science were taxonomically describing Charles Darwin's Galapagos finches and his descriptions of Australian fauna.

Gould was able to recognise specimens that represented different and undescribed taxa, without creating many unjustified names for species with minor variations. Consequently, many of his names have stood the test of time and are still valid. In his lifetime, Gould wrote over 300 scientific articles and identified 377 new species of birds. Gould was fellow of many scientific societies including the Zoological, Linnean and Royal Societies.

Australian Birds and Mammals first described by Gould

Splendid grass parakeet (Euphema splendida). This specimen was illustrated by Gould and then later sold to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.

Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) Charles Darwin. 'Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle; Part 2 Birds', 1832-1836, Illustrations by John Gould pl.44

Of the estimated 745 species of birds that live in Australia, John Gould is credited with describing almost half (44%). It is estimated that Gould described between 300 and 328 new species of Australian birds, and 45 new Australian mammals.

'Then came the important Gould era. From 1837, when he produced his first work on Australian birds, to the day of his death in 1881, Australian ornithology was dominated by John Gould; it may be said that practically every new Australian bird discovered during this period passed, in some way, through his hands.'
Hubert Massey Whittell, 1954

There can be no doubt that Gould has left a lasting scientific legacy. So significant was his contribution to Australian ornithology that the Gould League was named in his honour.