Augustus Daniel Imms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augustus Daniel Imms
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| Born | August 24, 1880 Moseley, Worcestershire, England
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| Died | April 3, 1949 (aged 68) Tipton St. John, Devon
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Augustus Daniel Imms (born August 24, 1880 – died April 3, 1949) was an English teacher, research leader, and entomologist. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a special honor for top scientists.
Imms wrote several important books about insects. His most famous one was Imms' General Textbook of Entomology. It was so popular that new versions were printed even after he passed away. The last edition came out in 1977.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Augustus was the older of two children. His father, Walter Imms, worked at Lloyds Bank. His mother, Mary Jane Daniel, was born in the U.S.A. but her parents were English. They moved back to England when she was young. Augustus was one of the few in his family who became interested in science.
He had asthma, which is a breathing condition. Because of this, his private schooling was often interrupted. He spent some time at St Edmunds High School in Birmingham. The headmaster there, William Bywater Grove, was a famous scientist who studied fungi.
Augustus's interest in nature was greatly encouraged by C. F. Olney. Olney was part of the Northampton Natural History Society. When Augustus was about seventeen, he bought a book called Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology. This book had a very detailed article about insects, which he found fascinating.
Becoming an Insect Expert
Imms studied science at Mason University College in Birmingham. His father wanted him to become a chemist for factories. However, Augustus chose to study biology instead. He learned from T. W. Bridge, who was a professor of zoology. Augustus even wrote two science papers about fish in 1904 and 1905.
He earned his first science degree in zoology in 1903. In 1906, he received his master's degree from the University of Birmingham. He also worked as a teaching assistant there.
In 1905, Augustus received a special scholarship called the 1851 Exhibition Science Scholarship. This scholarship helped him go to Cambridge University. There, he continued his studies under another important scientist, A. E. Shipley.
Working in India
In 1911, Imms got an exciting job offer from the Government of India. They wanted him to be the Forest Entomologist in Dehra Dun. This meant he would study insects that affect forests. He took over the job from E. P. Stebbing.
While in India, he studied how to grow lac, which is a natural resin made by insects. He also looked into pests that harmed pine forests. He felt that his six years in India were very important. He believed it was better than staying in Cambridge and thinking it was the only important place in the world. In 1913, he left India because of his health.
Return to England and Famous Textbook
After leaving India, Imms accepted a job in Manchester. He became a Reader in Agricultural Entomology. This meant he taught about insects that affect farming. He worked under Professor Sydney J. Hickson.
Imms strongly believed that there should be a special department for studying insects. He wrote many times to the Rothamsted Experimental Station, which is a famous agricultural research center. They listened to his ideas! In 1918, they created an entomology department, and Augustus Imms became its first Chief Entomologist.
His most famous book, A General Textbook of Entomology, was first published in 1925. It was published by Methuen. This book became the most important textbook for studying insects. It was so good that it was still being printed when he died.
After Imms passed away, two other scientists, Owain Richards and Richard Gareth Davies, updated the book. They produced three more editions. The tenth and final edition came out in 1977.
Augustus Imms was a highly respected scientist. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. In 1947, he was also chosen as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
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Augustus Daniel Imms
