Henry Luke White


Henry Luke White was a wealthy grazier, and a keen philatelist, book collector, amateur ornithologist and oölogist of Scone, New South Wales, Australia.

Philately

White was a noted philatelist who was appointed to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1922.

Book collecting

He also collected Australian books and possessed more than 2,000 rare items. His collection included volumes on philately, ornithology and cricket. His book collecting was aided by the advice of the noted Australian bookseller, Albert Henry Spencer.

Ornithology

H. L. White wrote short articles published in Emu, and corresponded with the American Ornithologists' Union. He was a member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union to which he was a generous benefactor. His collections of 8,500 bird skins and over 4,200 egg clutches were donated to the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne where they are known as the H. L. White Collection. He is also commemorated in the RAOU's large ornithological book and serial collection: the H. L. White Library.

Family

H. L. White was the father of Alfred Henry Edsworth White, who was honoured in the name of the grey honeyeater, Conopophila whitei by the ornithologist Alfred John North. He was also the uncle of the writer Patrick White, who described him as the only paternal uncle he favoured.