Illustration from Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’ (1854) public lecture on creating Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins: Why I Built the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (FGS, FLS) was the sculptor who created the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. Specifically, he created over thirty statues of prehistoric animals for the Crystal Palace and Park (Sydenham), which opened in June 1854. The statues included dinosaurs (Iguanodon, Megalosaurus, and Hylaeosaurus), Mesozoic marine reptiles (Plesiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, and Mosasaurus), other extinct reptiles (Dicynodon and Labyrinthdon), and mammals from the Tertiary Period (Anoplotherium and Palaeotherium) and…

Brocks Illuminations 1906 postcard

Brocks Illuminations Celebrated Crystal Palace Dinosaurs and More

This article on Brocks Illuminations at Crystal Palace in 1906 first appeared on the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs History Blog in July 2013. Brocks ‘Illuminations’ celebrated Crystal Palace Dinosaurs and More Close study of the fabulous and rare 1906 postcard from Brocks Fireworks Ltd – advertising their “Illuminations” at Crystal Palace – features many animals, including a pterodactyl and several dinosaurs. Among these, one…

The famous “Dinner in the Iguanodon Model” was immortalised in this picture, published in Illustrated London News, 7 January 1854, p. 22.

Dinner in the Iguanodon, December 31, 1853 (Crystal Palace Dinosaurs)

This article, titled “Dinner in the Iguanodon,” first appeared on the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs History Blog in July 2013. Dinner in the Iguanodon The “Dinner in the Iguanodon Model” is the best known story about Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. It took place on New Year’s Eve 31 December 1853 and was immortalised in the picture published in Illustrated London News, 7 January 1854, p. 22. “Mr Waterhouse Hawkins…

George Baxter's famous print shows the Crystal Palace Park as conceived prior to its opening in 1854. This landscape for dinosaurs imagines a tour underway.

George Baxter’s Famous Print of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs Re-examined

This post on George Baxter was first published 13 August 2014 for Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. It is re-published here with amendments. Baxter Print Re-examined The famous ‘Baxter’ print of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs is a favourite for those who admire the site. The post investigates the print’s origin and describes what it can tell visitors about Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. Who made it? George Baxter…