WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672), English ornithologist and ichthyologist, who is memorable as the pupil, friend, and patron as ∙well as the active and original coworker of John Ray (⅛.v.), and hence to be reckoned as one of the most important precursors of Linnaeus. He was the son of Sir Francis Willughby, and was born in 1635. His connexion with Ray dated from his studies at Cambridge (1653-59); and, after concluding his academic life by a brief sojourn at Oxford, and acquiring considerable experience of travel in England, he made an extensive Continental tour in his company. The specimens, figures, and notes thus accumulated were in great part elaborated on his return into his Omithologia, which, however, he did not live to publish, having injured a naturally delicate constitution by alternate exposure and over-study. This work was published in 1676, and translated by Ray as the Ornithology of Fr. Willughby (London, 1678, fol.); the same friend published his Historia 'Piscium (1686, fol.). Willughby died on 3d July 1672....