Lives and Influences: The life and works of James Barlow Hodgkinson (1823–1897), a northern entomologist

This paper summarises the life of James Barlow Hodgkinson who, during the Victorian period, rose to prominence for his works in entomology and ornithology. He started his working life as a mill hand at the age of 12 but progressed to become both a successful cotton entrepreneur and a dedicated and hugely successful amateur entomologist, who specialised in Lepidoptera. He is an exemplar of what could be achieved through effort, discipline and his deep commitment to his work, especially among the Lepidoptera. A brief biography is followed by an in-depth examination of his contribution to entomology.