Wakefield Museums and Castles

A painting of Waterton riding a caiman, surrounded by exotic animals, with Daddy Quashi and members of an Amerinidian tribe pulling on the baited rope

Charles Waterton

Charles Waterton (1782 - 1865) was a Victorian naturalist, explorer and taxidermist. He lived at his family home, Walton Hall, near Wakefield. He turned it into the world's first nature park. He is also remembered as a classic Victorian 'eccentric', climbing trees up until his 80s!

Find out more about the diverse and sometimes controversial life and legacy of Charles Waterton. Discover his environmental campaigning. Learn about his 'Wanderings in South America'. Learn about the Waterton family's links to slavery.

Portrait of Charles Waterton, a middle-aged white man with short hair, in smart clothes. He is seated at a desk, with a taxidermy red bird perched on his finger, some books on the desk and a taxidermied cat's head on top of the books.

Charles Waterton by Charles Wilson Peale in 1824. On display at the National Portrait Gallery

Find out more

Portrait of Charles Waterton, a middle-aged white man with short hair, in smart clothes. He is seated at a desk, with a taxidermy red bird perched on his finger, some books on the desk and a taxidermied cat's head on top of the books.

Who was Charles Waterton?

The story of Charles Waterton is diverse and controversial. Find out more about his life and legacy in this article.
A painting of Charles Waterton riding a caiman, surrounded by exotic animals, with Daddy Quashi and members of an Amerinidian tribe pulling on the baited rope

Charles Waterton and slavery

Waterton spent seven years as a manager of his family's sugar plantations and enslaved people in Guiana in South America.
Portrait of Charles Waterton, a middle-aged white man with short hair, in smart clothes. He is seated at a desk, with a taxidermy red bird perched on his finger, some books on the desk and a taxidermied cat's head on top of the books.

Portrait of Charles Waterton, Charles Wilson Peale, 1970s reproduction

This is a copy of the only official portrait of Charles Waterton. The original was gifted to Waterton by Peale.
Wanderings in South America open on the frontispiece, showing a drawing of a strange hairy human-like creature

‘Wanderings in South America’, Charles Waterton, 1825

Waterton’s first book described his four journeys through North and South America and the Caribbean.
A small glass bottle with cork stopper and handwritten label reading 'Wourali poison'

Bottle of three wourali poisoned arrowheads, 1839

Waterton observed the Macushi people preparing this poison. He named it ‘wourali’. Today, we know it as curare.
A slightly faded small blue woodpecker bird, preserved mid-nosedive on a wooden stand, inside a square glass box

Pica marina, preserved by Charles Waterton, 1841

This pica marina bird was preserved by Charles Waterton. He gave it to his friend and politician Daniel Gaskell.
A handwritten letter in cursive font from Waterton to Fletcher

‘A World of Good’ letter by Charles Waterton, 1849

In the 1840s, Charles Waterton wrote many letters. He was highlighting the dangers of industrial pollution for wildlife.
A large printed poster with text written by Charles Waterton protesting the closure of Heath Common

Heath Common poster, Charles Waterton, 1844

Charles Waterton campaigned to protect Heath Common. He was successful. It remains as common land today.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletters to get our latest updates, events and exhibitions sent straight to your inbox.

Subscribe