For a short time he worked in Messrs. Backhouse's bank at Darlington, but he spent most of his life in Norfolk. In Norfolk he was known as a landowner and country gentleman. He took a prominent part in local religious and philanthropic work.
He was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1894. At the time of his death he was a Justice of the Peace and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk.[2]
Ornithologist
His father, John Henry Gurney Sr, although a politician was probably best known as an ornithologist, therefore John Henry junior was brought up from an early age to know and love birds.
Gurney also took a keen interest in local ornithology. He was always a generous supporter of the local Wild Birds' Protection Societies. He was one of the original members of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society which was founded in March 1869.[3]
Marriage and family
John Henry Gurney married Margaret Jane Gurney (1851-1940) on 25 October 1876 at St Marylebone church, Westminster, London.[4] Margaret was also his second cousin, daughter of Henry Edmund Gurney (1821-1905) and Jane née Birkbeck (1828-1888). They had a son and three daughters:
Gerald Hudson Gurney (1880-1934)
Agatha Gurney (1881-1937)
Cecily Jane Gurney (1884-1958)
Margaret Editha Gurney (1886-1981)
Works
Gurney's first written contribution to ornithology was a letter to The Ibis on swallows which was published in 1866.[5] His most important publications include:
^Norfolk, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915
^ abcGladstone, Hugh S. (1923). "Obituary: John Henry Gurney". British Birds. 16: 240–244. The obituary is signed by H.S.G. Gladstone was a frequent contributor to the journal and was probably the author.