J. Denis Summers-Smith

Denis Summers-Smith is a mechanical engineer and, although nominally retiring in 1982, still continues to consult in tribology, his specialist field; in this capacity he has visited all six continents in the past five years. He confesses to an obsessional interest in sparrows. This began in 1947 with a study of the House Sparrow that led to the publication of The House Sparrow in 1963. He then broadened his interest to the other members of the genus, travelling extensively throughout Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean basin in their pursuit. A second book, The Sparrows, appeared in 1988. His wife, Margaret, has been a faithful attendant on most of these journeys. He has served on committees of the British Ornithologists' Union and the British Trust for Ornithology, publishing a number of papers in the journals of both these societies.