William Blandowski

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Wilhelm (William) Blandowski (January 21, 1822 - December 18, 1878), a German zoologist, was born in Gleiwitz, Upper Silesia, Kingdom of Prussia (now: Gliwice, Poland). He was the first scientist appointed to the Victorian museum in 1854.

He was a member and on the council of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria, {forerunner of the Royal Society of Victoria) but became a controversial figure in 1857 when he wrote an article describing and naming some fish species:

"In naming these fishes, he proposed to 'honour' certain members of the council
"by using their names for the specific names of the new species. .... .
"However, for two of these species, named after two very prominent members of
"council, the following descriptions were used:
"
"    Sample N. Slimy, slippery fish. Lives in the mud. Is of a violent bluish
"colour on the belly. The whole upper surface is of a dirty olivish-green 
"colour, with numerous irregular dark patches.
"    Sample B. A fish easily recognized by its low forehead, big belly and
" sharp spine.
" When it is realized that one of the two members of council concerned was the   
"leader of an important religious organization in Melbourne, and the other a
"highly respected physician in the city, it is understandable that a near-riot  
"resulted. The author, refusing to withdraw his paper and description, was
"immediately censured, and his expulsion from the Institute sought. However,
"the necessary two-thirds majority not being obtained, the two Council members
"concerned immediately resigned from all active participation in the"
"Institute."

from 'Science and the making of Victoria' http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/smv/022.html

In 1857 and 1858 he ws a member of the Philosophical Institute's 'Exploration Committee' that organised the Burke and Wills expedition and Blandowski felt strongly that Victoria's should be actively involved in the exploration of Australia.

He returned to Europe in 1859 and complained of his treatment in Australia. He died in Bolesławiec (then Bunzlau) in 1878.