Lionel Rothschild Collection

Zebra-drawn trap of Lord Walter Rothschild
Rothschild broke in and trained several zebras to pull a trap, which he memorably used to visit Buckingham Palace in 1898 Date: 1898

Giant tortoises at Tring Park
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Nathan Natty, 1st Baron Rothschild
Liberal politician, banker, philanthropist and father of Walter Rothschild, he built what became the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum

Giant tortoise being fed at Tring Park
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Emma Rothschild (1844-1935)
Mother of Tring Museum founder Walter Rothschild

Emu, rheas and kangaroos at Tring Park
Live animals collected by Walter Rothschild in the grounds of Tring Park, with keeper Mr Marcham, 1890 Date: 1890

Southern cassowary by JG Keulemans
Hand-coloured lithograph of cassowary head by JG Keulemans (c. 1898), based on the live animals at Walter Rothschilds Museum at Tring

Walter Rothschild Bird skin collection, 1933
Packed for shipping. The majority of Rothschilds (280, 000 items) bird skin collection was sold the AMNH in New York after he ran into financial difficulties

Walter Rothschild & collecting party, Algeria
Rothschild (second from right) undertook three separate ornithological collecting expeditions to Algeria in 1908, 1909 and 1911, along with Ernst Hartert

Visit of 1930 Ornithological Congress to Tring
Within the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum at Tring, bequeathed to the Natural History Museum after his death in 1937

C. Harris feeding Galapagos tortoises, 1898
Sailor and explorer Charles Harris was despatched to the Galapagos islands to collect giant tortoises for Walter Rothschild in 1897

Transporting Giant tortoises
In 1897 Walter Rothschild despatched explorer Charles Harris to the Galapagos islands to collect a large number of giant tortoises

Emu and rheas at Tring Park
Rheas from South America and Emus from Australia are examples of the flightless ratite birds kept by Walter Rothschild at Tring Park

Northern cassowary by JG Keulemans
Hand-coloured lithograph of cassowary head by JG Keulemans (c. 1898), based on the live animals at Walter Rothschilds Museum at Tring

Walter Rothschild Bird skin collection, 1932
Packed for shipping. The majority of Rothschilds (280, 000 items) bird skin collection was sold the AMNH in New York after he ran into financial difficulties

Alfred Newton (1829-1907), Professor of Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge University in the late 19th Century. Newton was an expert ornithologist and tutored Walter Rothschild in anatomy

Walter Rothschilds Necropsittacus borbonicus
Plate 8, a watercolour painting on paper by Henrik Gronvold from Walter Rothschilds Extinct Birds (1907). Art original 56 x 78 cm. Date: 1907

Broad-billed parrot
Plate 7 from Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the World, Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild (1907). Date: 1907

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"Lionel Rothschild: A Legacy of Wildlife Conservation and Exploration" Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, the renowned member of the prominent Rothschild family, left an indelible mark in the world of natural history. While his name may be synonymous with banking and finance, Lionel's passion for wildlife was equally unparalleled. One captivating chapter in Lionel's life involved Lord Walter Rothschild's zebra-drawn trap. This eccentric invention showcased their shared fascination with exotic animals and their commitment to studying them up close. Another notable figure within the family was Emma Rothschild, whose contributions to conservation were invaluable. Her tireless efforts ensured that Tring Park became a sanctuary for various species, including giant tortoises who were lovingly fed by caretakers like C. Harris. The vast collection at Tring Park included bird skins meticulously preserved by Walter Rothschild himself in 1933. These specimens provided valuable insights into avian diversity and played a crucial role during the visit of the 1930 Ornithological Congress. Tring Park also housed magnificent creatures such as Southern cassowaries captured beautifully by JG Keulemans' artwork. Emus, rheas, kangaroos - all found solace within its boundaries under Lionel's watchful eye. Transporting giant tortoises proved to be no small feat either; however, Lionel's dedication knew no bounds when it came to safeguarding these majestic beings from harm or extinction. Lionel Rothschild's unwavering commitment to wildlife preservation extended beyond his personal endeavors; he actively participated in events like the Ornithological Congress held at Tring Park where experts convened to discuss conservation strategies. Today, we remember Lionel as a visionary whose passion for nature transcended societal expectations. His legacy lives on through Tring Park – an enduring testament to his love for animals and his relentless pursuit of knowledge about our planet’s diverse inhabitants.