Eric James Denton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Denton
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| Born |
Eric James Denton
30 September 1923 Bentley, Yorkshire, England
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| Died | 2 January 2007 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Marine Biologist |
| Awards | Frink Medal (1987) Royal Medal (1987) International Prize for Biology (1989) |
Sir Eric James Denton was a very important British scientist. He was a marine biologist, which means he studied life in the ocean. He was born on September 30, 1923, and lived until January 2, 2007. Sir Eric was famous for his amazing discoveries about how sea creatures live and see in the deep, dark parts of the ocean.
Contents
Discovering the Ocean's Secrets
Sir Eric Denton spent his life exploring the mysteries of the sea. He helped us understand how fish and other marine animals survive in extreme conditions. His work was very important for learning about the ocean's hidden world.
Early Life and Learning
Eric Denton was born in a place called Bentley, in South Yorkshire, England. He went to Doncaster Grammar School when he was younger. Later, he studied at St John's College, Cambridge, where he learned about physics. After that, he continued his studies in biophysics at University College London. Biophysics is a science that uses physics to understand living things.
A Life at Sea (Well, Near It!)
After his studies, Eric Denton became a teacher of physiology at the University of Aberdeen. Physiology is the study of how living things work. He then moved to Plymouth to work at the Marine Biological Association Laboratory. This place is a special lab where scientists study sea life.
From 1974 to 1987, Sir Eric was the Director of this important laboratory. This meant he was in charge of all the exciting research happening there. Under his leadership, many new things were discovered about marine life.
Amazing Discoveries
Sir Eric Denton was especially known for his research on how deep-sea animals see. He studied how their eyes work in the very dim light of the deep ocean. He also looked at how some fish use special reflective layers in their skin to hide or communicate. His work helped us understand how creatures adapt to life far below the surface.
Awards for His Work
Because of his incredible contributions to science, Sir Eric Denton received many important awards. In 1987, he won the Royal Medal, which is a very high honor given by the Royal Society. He also received the Frink Medal in the same year. In 1989, he was given the International Prize for Biology. These awards show how much his work was valued around the world.
Eric Denton passed away in St Just, Cornwall, on January 2, 2007. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of marine biologists.
