Lankester, << LANG kih stuhr, >> Sir Edwin Ray (1847-1929), a British zoologist, did extensive research in comparative anatomy and embryology. His work helped support the theory of evolution (see Evolution ). Lankester served as director of the British Museum’s natural history department from 1898 until 1907. From 1869 to 1920, he edited The Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science. Lankester was born in London on May 15, 1847. He died on Aug. 15, 1929.