Gilbert White (July 18, 1720 - June 26, 1795) was a pioneering naturalist and ornithologist.
In 1756 he became curate in Selborne, his home town. He is regarded as England's first ecologist. He said of the earthworm:
- "Earthworms, though in appearance a small and despicable link in the chain of nature, yet, if lost, would make a lamentable chasm [...] worms seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would proceed but lamely without them..." (1770)
In addition to his publications on Natural History he is also noted as a poet.
His house in Selborne, The Wakes, now contains the Gilbert White Museum, as well as the Oates Memorial Museum, commemorating Frank and Laurence Oates.