# Michael Roger Oldfield Thomas

> British mammalogist (1858–1929)

**Wikidata**: [Q318207](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318207)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldfield_Thomas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-roger-oldfield-thomas

## Summary
Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas was a British mammalogist and zoologist who lived from 1858 to 1929. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the study of mammals and held affiliations with major scientific institutions in the United Kingdom.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 21, 1858
- **Died**: June 16, 1929
- **Nationality**: British (United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
- **Known for**: Scientific study of mammals (mammalogy) and zoology
- **Employer(s)**: Natural History Museum, British Museum
- **Field(s)**: Zoology
- **Member of**: Royal Society, Zoological Society of London
- **Awards**: Fellow of the Royal Society

## Contributions
Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas dedicated his career to the field of zoology, specifically mammalogy. He was affiliated with the Natural History Museum and the British Museum in London, institutions known for housing vast collections of natural history artifacts. His work involved the classification and study of mammal species, contributing to the broader scientific understanding of animal biology and evolution. A species of mammal, *Cyclopes thomasi*, is listed among related entities, indicating his connection to species identification or naming within his field.

## FAQs
**What was Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas's profession?**
He was a mammalogist and zoologist, focusing on the scientific study of animals, specifically mammals.

**Which institutions was Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas affiliated with?**
He worked for the Natural History Museum and the British Museum. He was also a member of the Royal Society and the Zoological Society of London.

**What recognition did Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas receive?**
He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, a prestigious recognition for scientists in the United Kingdom.

## Why They Matter
Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas played a role in the advancement of zoological science during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His association with the Natural History Museum and the British Museum placed him at the center of British scientific research during a period of significant expansion in the understanding of global biodiversity. As a Fellow of the Royal Society, he contributed to a legacy of scientific excellence that has shaped modern biological classification and the study of mammalian evolution.

## Notable For
- Being a British mammalogist and zoologist.
- Serving as an employee of the Natural History Museum and the British Museum.
- Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Membership in the Zoological Society of London.
- Connection to the species *Cyclopes thomasi*.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas was born on February 21, 1858. He held citizenship in the United Kingdom and the historical sovereign state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which existed from 1801 to 1922.

### Career and Affiliations
Thomas built his career within prominent British scientific institutions. He was employed by the British Museum, a national museum in London established in 1753, and the Natural History Museum, which was founded in 1881. These institutions are renowned for their extensive collections and contributions to scientific research.

His professional focus was in the field of zoology, the scientific study of animals. Specifically, he worked as a mammalogist, a specialist in the study of mammals. This field involves examining the biology, behavior, evolution, and classification of mammalian species.

### Professional Memberships and Recognition
Thomas was an active member of the scientific community. He was a member of the Zoological Society of London, an English charity devoted to animal conservation founded in 1826. Additionally, he was a member of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science founded in 1660. His standing in the scientific community was further cemented when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, a prestigious honor for scientists in the UK.

### Scientific Context and Legacy
Thomas worked during a vibrant period for the biological sciences. The field of zoology, which encompasses subfields like mammalogy, ornithology, and entomology, was rapidly developing with contributions from figures like Carl Linnaeus and Charles Darwin. Thomas's work contributed to the documentation and classification of animal life. He passed away on June 16, 1929. His name is associated with the species *Cyclopes thomasi*, a species of mammal.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Bionomia
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. SNAC
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals
9. Library of Congress Control Number
10. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/7e380070-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)