Донован родился в ирландском городе Корк в 1768 году. Он основал Музей и Институт естественной истории в Лондоне, где хранилась его обширная коллекция предметов естественной истории. В 1817 году эта коллекция была продана на аукционе. Был членом Линнеевского общества.
Донован был автором большого количества трудов по естественной истории, в том числе «Natural History of British Birds» (1792-1797), «Natural History of British Insects» (1792-1813) и «Natural History of British Fishes» (1802-1808).
Его наиболее известные произведения — это «An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of China» (1798) и «An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of India» (1800).
Botanical review, or the beauties of flora.[London], E.O. Donovan, 1789-1790.Архивная копия от 18 июля 2014 на Wayback Machine
The natural history of British insects explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, oeconomy, &c. together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope, the whole illustrated by coloured figures, designed and executed from living specimens London Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1792-1813.16 volumes with a total of 576 plates (568 coloured).Архивная копия от 22 июля 2012 на Wayback Machine
The Natural History of British Birds; or, a Selection of the most Rare, Beautiful, and Interesting Birds which inhabit this country 10 volumes with a total of 244 plates, London, 1794-1819.
The natural history of British fishes: including scientific and general descriptions of the most interesting species, and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured plates, taken entirely from original drawings, purposely made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the most part whilst living by E. Donovan.London :Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington,1802-08.Архивная копия от 13 августа 2014 на Wayback Machine
The Naturalist’s Repository, or Miscellany of Exotic Natural History Exhibiting Rare and Beautiful Specimens of Foreign Birds, Insects, Shells, Quadrupeds, Fish and Marine Productions. 5 volumes with a total of 180 plates, London, 1822-1827.
The Natural History of British Shells, including Figures and Descriptions of all the Species Hitherto Discovered in Great Britain, Systematically Arranged in the Linnean Manner, with Scientific and General Observations on Each". 5 volumes.Архивная копия от 21 июля 2012 на Wayback Machine
An Epitome of the Natural History of the insects of India, and the islands in the Indian Seas: Comprising upwards to two hundred and fifty figures and descriptions of the most singular and beautiful species, selected chiefly from those recently discovered, and which have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are accurately drawn, engraved, and coloured, from specimens of the insects; the descriptions are arranged according to the system of Linnaeus; with references to the writings of Fabricius, and other systematic authors. Printed for the Author by T. Bensley, London.Архивная копия от 27 ноября 2012 на Wayback Machine
An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of China Comprising Figures and Descriptions of Upwards of One Hundred New, Singular, and Beautiful Species; Together with some that are of Importance in Medicine, Domestic Economy, &c London: Printed for the Author, by T. Bensley, 1798.Архивная копия от 5 декабря 2012 на Wayback Machine
An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite, and other islands in the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans: including the figures and descriptions of one hundred and fifty-three species of the more splendid, beautiful, and interesting insects, hitherto discovered in those countries, and which for the most part have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are correctly delineated from specimens of the insects; and with the descriptions are arranged according to the Linnean system, with reference to the writings of Fabricius and other entomologists". London. 1805.
Instructions for collecting and preserving various subjects of natural history: as quasrupeds, birds, reptiles, fishes, shells, corals, plants, &c.: together with a treatise on the management of insects in their several states; selected from the best authorities by E. Donovan.London,Rivington 1805 (2nd ed.)(недоступная ссылка)