Dru Drury Paintings

Dru Drury was not primarily known as an artist in the traditional sense, but rather as an English entomologist and silversmith. Born on February 4, 1725, in Wood Street, London, Drury developed an interest in the natural world, particularly in insects, at a young age. Despite his inclination towards the study of insects, Drury initially followed in his father's footsteps and took up the trade of silversmithing. He successfully ran his father's business after his death.

Drury's true passion lay in the study of insects, which he pursued alongside his business. Over time, he amassed one of the most significant insect collections of his day, collecting not only from Britain but also from the Americas, Africa, and Asia through various contacts and ship captains. He was particularly interested in beetles and butterflies.

In 1770, Drury became one of the founding members of the Aurelian Society, a group of entomologists. His contributions to entomology are most notably documented in his three-volume work 'Illustrations of Natural History,' which was published in parts between 1770 and 1782. This work contained descriptions and illustrations of more than 240 species of insects, many of which were being recorded for the first time. His detailed engravings were essential for the advancement of entomological knowledge in the 18th century.

Drury's work was well respected, and he corresponded with other prominent naturalists of the time, including Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist and zoologist who laid the foundations for the modern biological naming scheme of binomial nomenclature.

Towards the end of his life, Drury faced financial difficulties and was forced to auction off his extensive insect collection. He died on January 15, 1804. While Dru Drury may not be remembered as a traditional artist, his contributions to natural history and entomology were indeed an art form in their own right, combining scientific rigor with detailed and precise illustration.