Arthur Milnes Marshall facts for kids
Arthur Milnes Marshall (1852–1893) was an English zoologist. He was also known for his work helping to run Victoria University.
Contents
Life and Education
Arthur Milnes Marshall was born in Birmingham on June 8, 1852. His father, William P. Marshall, was a secretary for the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Arthur was very smart from a young age. In 1870, while still in school, he earned his B.A. degree from London University. The next year, he went to St John's College, Cambridge to study natural sciences. He was one of the first students to study biology after some big changes were made to the courses. He learned from famous scientists like Francis Balfour and Michael Foster.
In 1874, Arthur graduated with top honors. The next year, Cambridge University sent him to a new marine biology station called Stazione Zoologica in Naples, Italy. When he returned to Cambridge, he started teaching zoology alongside Francis Balfour.
Becoming a Professor and Scientist
In 1877, Arthur won a special science scholarship. He also passed an important medical exam and earned his D.Sc. degree from London. At the same time, he was chosen as a fellow at St John's College.
In 1879, when he was just 27, Arthur became a professor of zoology at Owens College, Manchester. He quickly became known as an excellent teacher and a great organizer. He earned more degrees, including an M.D. in 1882.
In 1885, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He also served on their council. Arthur gave important talks at scientific meetings, including one for the British Association in 1892.
Work at Victoria University
Owens College became part of Victoria University in 1880. Arthur played a key role in setting up the biology courses there. He helped organize how students would study biology. He was also involved in the university's efforts to offer education to more people outside the main campus.
A Tragic Accident
Arthur Milnes Marshall loved mountain climbing. This was his main hobby, even though his friend Francis Balfour had died climbing Mont Blanc. During most long holidays, Arthur would climb in the Tyrol region, Switzerland, or the Mont Blanc area. For shorter breaks, he climbed in the mountains of Wales and the English Lake District.
Sadly, on December 31, 1893, while climbing with friends on Scafell, a rock broke beneath him. He fell and died instantly. A cross was later carved into the rocks to mark the spot where he fell. Arthur Milnes Marshall was not married.
His Books and Ideas
Arthur Milnes Marshall made important contributions to zoology through his research papers. These papers focused on topics like how nerves develop in animals and the anatomy of certain corals.
He also wrote three important textbooks that helped many students learn about biology:
- The Frog (first published in 1882)
- Practical Zoology (written with Charles Herbert Hurst, first published in 1887)
- Vertebrate Embryology (published in 1893)
He also wrote other books like Biological Essays and Addresses and The Darwinian Theory. Arthur was known for being a clear speaker. He famously described recapitulation theory by saying that animals "climb up their genealogical tree." This idea suggests that as an animal develops, it goes through stages that look like the evolutionary history of its species.
