John Hancock (24 February 1808 – 11 October 1890) was an English naturalist, ornithologist, taxidermist and landscape architect.

Their grandfather, Thomas had been a saddler and ironmonger with a shop on Tyne Bridge prior to 1771 when it was destroyed in a flood.

For some time the family lived at Bensham and after the death of their father at the age of 43 in 1812, their mother moved them to Windmill Hills, Gateshead.

This was well before the formation of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham in 1829 and later groups like the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club in 1846 in which he participated.

It was after Albany died in 1873 that a memorial was considered and John Hancock suggested a newer and larger building for the collections.

Hancock persuaded Colonel John Joicey to purchase a site opposite Barras bridge and it was presented to the Society.

Hancock also prepared flat skins for the collection and received specimens from as far as India through correspondents like Edward Blyth.

[11] Hancock's collection includes a specimen of the red-necked nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis claimed to be the first one from Britain and continues to stand as a unique record.