Robert Marsham

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Robert Marsham (27 January 1708–1797) is considered to be the founding father of phenology. Marsham is best known for his Indications of Spring, the phenology notes which he started making in 1736 and continued writing for over 60 years. Successive generations of his family added to his work, and this information now provides immensely valuable data to the UK phenology database.

From a very early age he had shown a passion for the natural world. In later life, Marsham owned a modest sized country estate in Stratton Strawless, Norfolk. He became friendly with the naturalist Gilbert White, with whom he carried on a lengthy correspondence and who described him as a 'painful and accurate naturalist'.

Marsham was the first to record the effects of nature and seasonal change. His interest in trees resulted in his being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1780.