Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)
Item
“Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)”, Rhodes University Drama Department, accessed 30 December 2025, https://digitalarchives.ru.ac.za/s/rhodes-university-drama-department/item/433
-
Alternative Title
-
Jack Skead
-
Subject - Occupation
-
Ornithologist
-
Botanist
-
Naturalist
-
Description
-
Cuthbert John “Jack” Skead (1912–2006) was a renowned South African naturalist, ornithologist, botanist, and historian of the Eastern Cape environment. Throughout his extensive career, he made significant contributions to the study of southern African biogeography, animal distribution, and historical ecology.
Skead served as Director of the Albany Museum in Grahamstown (now Makhanda) and later became a Research Associate at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town. His enduring legacy includes his meticulous, multi-decadal documentation of species distributions and historical records, culminating in major works such as "Historical Incidence of the Larger Mammals in the Eastern Cape" and subsequent volumes on the Cape Province.
Although best known for his zoological scholarship, Skead was also deeply engaged in botanical research. His field notebooks, habitat photographs, and observations reflect a holistic approach to understanding the interrelationships between plants, animals, and their environments. His botanical interests informed much of his later ecological and historical work, contributing to our understanding of vegetation patterns and environmental change in the region.
-
Given name
-
Cuthbert John
-
familyName
-
Skead
-
gender
-
Male
Linked resources
Items with "Creator: Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)"
| Title |
Class |
 Loerie Reserve, Port Elizabeth |
Still Image
|
 Loerie Reserve, Port Elizabeth |
Still Image
|
 Loerie River passing under low-water bridge into Loerie Reserve |
Still Image
|
 Look-out picnis site of Van Staden's Wild Flower Reserve, Port Elizabeth |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the bed of the Coerney River near Coerney towards the bush-covered foothills of the Suurberge |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the bed of the Coerney River near Coerney towards the bush-covered foothills of the Suurberge |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the eastern sector of the Quaggasvlakte just south of Paterson sandflats, Alexandria |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the eastern sector of the Quaggasvlakte just south of Paterson sandflats, Alexandria towards Bushman's River |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the Greenhouse Flats, west of Port Elizabeth to Witteklip Mt |
Still Image
|
 Looking across the Keiskamma basin from West Pirie Peak (Hoho Peak) to the three Hogsback peaks. To the left Bhukazana, centre Nguku (flat-top) and Mnyameni to the right |
Still Image
|
 Looking down from the top of Highlands mountain to the homestead on Carl's Rust farm far below, and the upper Kariega Valley |
Still Image
|
 Looking down into the 'Rietfontein' amphitheatre on a tributary leading to Van Staden's River mouth |
Still Image
|
 Looking down on the lower reaches of uMthaleni Valley, Kei Road, King William's Town |
Still Image
|
 Looking east over Wolwefontein, Steytlerville |
Still Image
|
 Looking north from 5 km west of Paterson (sandflats), Alexandria |
Still Image
|
 Looking north to the Suurberg Enon village |
Still Image
|
 Looking northwards from Steylerville Road, Uitenhage |
Still Image
|
 Looking northwards up the Witte River to Enon village, Uitenhage, with the Suurberg in the background |
Still Image
|
 Looking over Galgenbosch site (Thornhill) |
Still Image
|
 Looking over Tweerivieren, Langkloof, Uniondale, not far east of Joubertina |
Still Image
|
 Looking south over desecrated Swartkops River valley towards the old Cradock Place (Papenkuilsfontein) from kwaMagxaki Hill |
Still Image
|
 Looking southeast from top of easternmost Coega Kop over low bushy ground towards the Coega River mouth (indicated by a gap in the horizon hills, a distance of 6km) |
Still Image
|
 Looking towards Algoa Bay |
Still Image
|
 Looking up Baakens River Valley, Port Elizabeth, from Wellington Park on right bank |
Still Image
|
 Looking up left bank of Van Staden's River from campsite at the mouth |
Still Image
|
“Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)”, Rhodes University Drama Department, accessed 30 December 2025, https://digitalarchives.ru.ac.za/s/rhodes-university-drama-department/item/433