Duncan Stewart similarly appreciated and meticulously
recorded in his journals and notebooks how the
ecosystem defines the ordinary as much as the extraordinary and relates to the real world of which we
are all a part. He invited Sir David Attenborough
to speak to the Winchester College Natural History
Society and he subsequently became the Honorary
President. He remains to this day, an Honorary Patron.
Duncan wrote in his invitation letter to Sir David:
‘The Winchester College Natural History Society
aims to educate the boys about the extraordinary
biodiversity of Hampshire, southern England and the
world.’ This is also one of the aims of the Duncan
Louis Stewart Natural History Fellowship.
His notebooks on Africa with their charming
and accurate drawings of fauna of all kinds reflect
a passion that was always defined by meticulous
observation. Duncan was an exceptionally talented artist
and his notebooks reveal how his artistic skill evolved.
Comparing the Safari notebook Duncan kept on his
trip to Africa in 2003, before he started at Winchester,
with his 2005 journal pertaining to a similar trip, one
can see how he had developed the ability to simulate
locomotion in quadrupeds in his pencil drawing.
Duncan’s acumen suggests his drawing was more
than a ‘violon d’Ingres’ and that he could readily have
become a successful dedicated professional artist.
‘I do, of course, remember Duncan Stewart very
well and it is wonderful that so much has been
and is being done to keep his memory fresh
and in such an important and valuable way.’
S I R D AV I D AT T E N B O R O U G H
32 The Wykeham Journal 2015