Edwin Lankester was born on April 23, 1814, in Melton, Suffolk, England.

He was a physician, public health reformer, and natural historian. He started to study medicine and science at the University College London (1834-1837) but couldn't afford to complete the course. In 1837, he became a resident medical attendant and science tutor to the Woods family of Campsall Hall. In 1839, he travelled to Heidelberg, Germany to take his M.D. and started to practise medicine in London. He also wrote articles on botany, medicine, and surgery for the Penny Cyclopaedia and contributed to the Biographical Dictionary and other journals. In 1845, he was President of the Royal Microscopical Society and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1850, he obtained the chair of natural science at New College, London, holding it until 1872. He was President of the British Association for 25 years, and the founder of its Biological Section. In 1865, he became the first President of the Quekett Microscopical Club. He was a born publicist, teacher, and reformer, always fighting for the poor and defenceless. He was the author of the immensely popular "Half Hours with the Microscope” (1859). Lankester became the first Medical Officer of Health in England and made a major contribution to the control of cholera in London (1853-1854).

In 1845, he married Phebe Pope (1826-1900), a botanist, microscopist, and author of the children's books. He died on October 30, 1874, in Thanet, Kent, England and was buried in Hampstead, Middlesex, England.