Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bolton, James (fl.1775-1795)

by George Thomas Bettany

BOLTON, JAMES (fl. 1775–1795), was a self-taught naturalist in humble life, residing near Halifax in Yorkshire, who drew and etched all his own illustrations. He described the plants of Halifax in Watson's History of the Parish of Halifax,' London, 1775, 4to.

His larger works were:

1. ‘Filices Britannicæ,’ Leeds, 1785, 4to.
2. ‘A History of Funguses growing about Halifax,' four vols. 4to, Halifax and Huddersfield, 1788-91.
3. ‘Harmonia Ruralis,’ an essay towards a natural history of British songbirds, Stannary, near Halifax, two vols. 1794-6.
4. 'A History of British Proper Ferris, &c.,' 1795.

[Monthly Rev. vols. Ixxvi. Ixxix. 1st ser.; vol. viii. 2nd ser.]

G. T. B.