LAISHLEY, Rev. Richard 1816–1897

Born Southampton: studied with Le Cocq, former pupil of the engraver Bartolozzi. Became a Congregational pastor, but was keenly interested in natural history, studied and drew plants and birds in the New Forest. In 1860 arrived Auckland on the Caduceus page 149 and settled in Onehunga. 1868 moved to Melbourne but returned to New Zealand 1874 and settled at Thames, revisiting England 1883–84. Retired 1890. Exhibited ASA 1884, 1887; in Sydney Ex 1879. He made sympathetic and expert Maori portraits. His work reproduced in his book, British Birds' Eggs, and his Sketch Notes of Family History and his shipboard diary are in Turnbull. Drawings are in British Natural Science Museum, London.