Striped Hyena

This natural history print is from Plates Illustrative of Natural History published by R. Clay for the Society of Promoting Christian Knowledge. The illustration is after Josiah Wood Whymper. It was published in London circa 1850. The work illustrated numerous animals of the world and natural phenomena. Each plate featured scientific information on the plate as well as biblical or moral messaging.

The Committee of General Literature and Education of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was a group founded in 1699 to combat the “ignorance of the Christian religion.” The organization worked through evangelical philanthropy and would incorporate religious messaging and scientific knowledge, but to ultimately spread the word of Christianity. The Society built schools, libraries, and published books.