WFS News: Palaeontologist William Fox’s dinosaur fossil finds displayed

May 30th, 2017

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Rev William Fox had four dinosaurs named after him

Fossils discovered by a Victorian clergyman who had four dinosaurs named after him are being exhibited on the Isle of Wight.

Among Rev William Fox’s finds was one of the first, almost complete dinosaur fossils – a partial skeleton of a plant-eating Hypsilophodon foxii.Some of his fossils are being displayed at Sandown’s Dinosaur Isle Museum.

A walking trail of routes in Brighstone that Fox used when making his discoveries has also been launched.

Dr Martin Munt, curator of the museum, said it was “an opportunity for island residents to learn more about our wonderful heritage”.

The events have been funded by the Royal Society’s Local Heroes scheme, which provides cash for exhibitions and events that reveal stories of “scientific brilliance”, Isle of Wight Council said.

The authority said prior to this recognition “a barely marked grave” and an “improvised plaque” were all that remained to mark Fox’s life.

The four dinosaurs named after Fox:

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Polacanthus foxii, 1865 – a 5m (16ft)-long armoured dinosaur
Polacanthus foxii
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Hypsilophodon foxii, 1869 – a 2m (6.5ft)-long small ornithopod
Hypsilophodon foxii
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Eucamerotus foxii, 1872 – a sauropod dinosaur of uncertain size
Eucamerotus foxii
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Calamospondylus foxii, 1889 – a small carnivorous dinosaur about 3.5m (11ft)-long
Calamospondylus foxii