John Lubbock

John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury (1834–1913), was an English polymath who made significant contributions to archaeology, biology, and banking. He is best known for his work "Prehistoric Times," published in 1865, which established him as a pioneer in the fields of archaeology and anthropology. Lubbock coined the terms "Paleolithic" and "Neolithic" to describe the Old and New Stone Ages, respectively. In the realm of biology, Lubbock's studies on insect behavior, particularly ants and bees, led to the publication of "Ants, Bees, and Wasps" in 1882. His observations and experiments advanced the understanding of animal psychology. Additionally, Lubbock played a crucial role in the banking industry, championing the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which introduced public holidays in the UK. He was elected to the Royal Society in 1858 and served as its Vice President.