George Verrall was an entomologist who loved lists. In a time when his peers were busy chasing butterflies and beetles Verrall made himself extremely busy attempting to list all the species of ‘true’ fly of the British Isles. His initial list of around 2000 flies from the late 1800’s has been updated over the years and at the last revision included over 7000 species.

Verrall’s love of wildlife and his concern for the British countryside inspired him along with the better known naturalist Walter Rothschild to start buying up the fenland around Cambridge.

On his death this land was gifted to the National Trust increasing the size of their very first nature reserve – Wicken Fen. Fellow fly expert Erica McAllister explains why Verrall is her Natural History Hero.

Produced by Ellie Sans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015. Show less