Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)
Item
“Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)”, Rhodes University Drama Department, accessed 01 January 2026, https://digitalarchives.ru.ac.za/s/rhodes-university-drama-department/item/433
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Alternative Title
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Jack Skead
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Subject - Occupation
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Ornithologist
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Botanist
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Naturalist
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Description
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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.
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Given name
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Cuthbert John
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familyName
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Skead
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gender
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Male
Linked resources
Items with "Creator: Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)"
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 Vegetation on the False Island at Kwaaihoek, Alexandria |
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 Vergaderingskop, Hankey, Gamtoos Valley, Port Elizabeth |
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 Verge of Strandfontein Road, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth |
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 Verge of Stranfontein Road & Maritz Street, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth |
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 View across to Matt Zondagh Landgoed (per noticeboard there) at Avontuur, Langkloof, Uniondale |
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 View at Avontuur adjacent to Matt Zondagh Landgoed |
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 View at western end of Grassridge, Uitenhage |
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 View eastwards across Grassridge between Coega & Addo towards Tankatara |
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 View from near Fitches' Corner |
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 View from slope of eastern of the 3 Coega Kops northward to the northern kop, distance of about 150m |
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 View from St. Alban's Prison and Fitches Corner |
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 View from St. Alban's Prison gate at eastern end of the Van Stadensberg range, 38km west Port Elizabeth central. |
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 View from Suurberg Inn at the top of Suurberg Pass looking north towards the Rietberg ridge |
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 View from the Suurberg pass looking south towards Coerney |
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 View from the west of Table Hill on 'Table Farm', 11km NW of Grahamstown and in the Noutoe River valley which runs into the New Year's River out of picture to the left |
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 View from the west of Table Hill on 'Table Farm', 11km NW of Grahamstown and in the Noutoe River valley which runs into the New Year's River out of picture to the left |
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 View from Uitenhage-Graaff Reinet road of Kleinkop (left) and Grootkop (right) |
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 View looking westwards across Springs Reserve from approach road to the western ridges, 8 km northeast of Uitenhage |
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 View northwestwards from near the Suurberg Inn above the Suurberg Pass |
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 View of Long Hill on Echodale farm, lower Elands River valley, Uitenhage |
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 View over Misgund, Langkloof, Uniondale |
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 View overlooking country between Nanaga and the coast, Alexandria district |
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 View south from Kareedouw Pass across the low coastal plain of Tsitsikamma towards the sea |
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 View westwards across Grassridge between Coega & Addo towards Witteklip Mt. In the distance |
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 View westwards across Grassridge between Coega & Addo towards Witteklip Mt. In the distance |
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“Skead, C. J. (Cuthbert John)”, Rhodes University Drama Department, accessed 01 January 2026, https://digitalarchives.ru.ac.za/s/rhodes-university-drama-department/item/433