Robert Patterson was an Irish

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 naturalist

Naturalist

Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...

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He was the son of Richard Patterson , the grandson of Robert Patterson FRS

Robert Patterson (Belfast)

Robert Patterson, FRS was an Irish businessman and naturalist born in Belfast, Ireland.-Biography:The eldest son of Robert Patterson , owner of a mill-furnishing business in Belfast established in 1786, Robert Patterson was born into a wealthy family. He was educated first at the Belfast Academy...

 and the nephew of Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906)

Robert Lloyd Patterson (1836-1906)

Robert Lloyd Patterson was an Irish naturalist.He was the second son of Robert Patterson F.R.SA linen merchant he was awarded a knighthood in 1902 for services to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce....

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Robert Patterson was interested in every branch of natural history but mainly birds. He was a member of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club

The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club is a club of naturalists based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1863, the club was an important part of the education system for Victorian naturalists and worked largely through first-hand field studies...

and a founder of the Ulster Fisheries and Marine Biology Association. He also founded the People's Palace, or Patterson Museum, in Belfast which opened in 1904. This was a natural history (mainly birds) and archaeological museum intended for the free instruction of the people.