Artefact of the Month - July 2011 Memorial plaque for Sir Stamford Raffles

This memorial plaque was situated below the bust of Sir Stamford Raffles, in the recess above the clock, over the central doorway in the Old Lion House at ZSL London Zoo. The Lion House was replaced by the Lion Terraces which opened in 1976.

The plaque is now located in ZSL Library whilst a reproduction of the bust can be seen in the entrance lobby to ZSL's Offices at Regent's Park.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was born July 1781, Raffles had an adventurous life: he was Lieutenant-Govenor of Java, founded Singapore, and had the large, foul smelling, rarely flowering plant Rafflesia arnoldi named after him.

On his return to England, Raffles established the Zoological Society of London in 1826, becoming its first President. Sadly he died unexpectedly in July 1826.

July is anniversary month for both his birth and death. Please see previous July artefacts for further items about Raffles:

Raffles letter to Sir Everard Home (see the July 2010 Artefact) .
History of Java (see the July 2009 Artefact) .
Portrait of Sir Stamford Raffles by Sir James Lonsdale (see the July 2007 Artefact) .