John Palmer, the fourth Earl of Selborne, dedicated much of his time to championing the cause of environmental and agricultural issues. A noted ecological expert, John was personally engaged in agriculture through his farm in Hampshire. He provided leadership to learned societies concerned with the environment and nature, and helped to shape related public policy.
From 1997–2000, he was President of the Royal Geographical Society, and from 2003–2009 he chaired the board of trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. John also guided the work of numerous other ecology-themed commissions, committees and boards.
Entering the House of Lords in 1971, John served frequently on the Science and Technology Committee and contributed broadly to debates surrounding government policy on science and technology in the United Kingdom. He was appointed to KBE in 1987, and subsequently GBE in 2011, for his services to science.
The Earl of Selborne GBE DL FRS died on 12 February 2021.
Professional position
- Chairman, Science and Technology Select Committee, House of Lords
Subject groups
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
