Joseph Sabine (1770-1837), English naturalist. Sabine was educated in Law, and practiced until 1808 when he was appointed to the post of Inspector General of Taxes. However, he also has a passion for natural history that he indulged in his leisure hours. In 1788 he was a founding member of the Linnean Society, and was honorary secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1810 to 1830. He was the elder brother of the explorer Sir Edward Sabine.