David Sharp (entomologist)

David Sharp (15 October 1840 – 27 August 1922) was an English physician and entomologist who dedicated his life to the study of insects, particularly Coleoptera (beetles).

Sharp was born in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and initially pursued a career in medicine, graduating as a doctor. However, his strong interest in natural history, specifically entomology, led him to abandon medicine and devote himself to the study of insects.

He became a leading expert on Coleoptera, contributing significantly to our understanding of beetle taxonomy, morphology, and distribution. Sharp worked extensively with the collections of the British Museum (Natural History) (now the Natural History Museum, London), holding the position of curator of the Godman-Salvin collection of Central American Coleoptera.

His major publications include "The Staphylinidae of Japan" (1889), "Insecta" in the Cambridge Natural History series (1895-1899), and, most notably, Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Coleoptera, a multi-volume work describing the beetles of Central America. This monumental project, co-authored with numerous other entomologists and financed by Frederick DuCane Godman and Osbert Salvin, remains a valuable resource for entomologists studying Neotropical beetles.

Sharp was a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and president of the Entomological Society of London (now the Royal Entomological Society) from 1887 to 1888. He died in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, leaving behind a significant legacy in the field of entomology through his extensive publications and collections. His work continues to be consulted by entomologists worldwide.