Hedingham Heritage Society

Born in Black Notley, John Ray (1628-1705) was one of the most eminent and influential naturalists of his time.  He published works on birds, mammals, fish, insects and plants, bringing order to the chaotic mass of names used by contemporary naturalists. Ray was the first to discover and record the life cycle of butterflies and moths and that it's possible to determine the age of trees by counting the rings in its trunk.  Tonight's talk by Paul Wood of the John Ray Society will shine a light on this man's immense contribution to our understanding of the natural world.