Francis Cole facts for kids

Francis Joseph Cole (born February 3, 1872 – died January 27, 1959) was an English zoologist. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals. He was a professor at the University of Reading for 33 years, helping many students learn about the animal kingdom.

Early Life and Education

Francis Cole was born in London, England. He went to school at Sir Walter St. John's School in Battersea. Later, he studied at Jesus College, Oxford, which is part of the famous University of Oxford. This is where he began his journey into the world of science.

A Career in Zoology

Cole started his teaching career in 1897. He worked as a lecturer in zoology at the University of Liverpool. A lecturer is like a teacher at a university. He stayed there until 1906.

Professor at Reading University

In 1906, Francis Cole became the first Professor of Zoology at the University of Reading. This was a big achievement! As a professor, he was in charge of teaching and research in zoology.

Founding the Cole Museum

One of his most important projects at Reading was setting up the Cole Museum of Zoology. He wanted to create a place where students and the public could see and learn about different animal specimens. He even encouraged visitors from other countries to donate items to the museum. This helped the museum grow with many interesting exhibits.

His Research and Books

Professor Cole worked at Reading until he retired in 1939. Even after retiring, he kept writing books. His early work focused on the shape and structure of fish. Later, he wrote about the history of zoology and how animals reproduce.

Some of his well-known books include:

• "History of Protozoology" (1926) – This book explored the history of tiny, single-celled organisms called protozoa.
• "Early Theories of Sexual Generation" (1930) – This book looked at old ideas about how living things reproduce.
• "History of Comparative Anatomy from Aristotle to the Eighteenth Century" (1944) – This book covered the history of comparing the bodies of different animals, from ancient times to the 1700s.

Awards and Recognition

Francis Cole received several important awards for his work. In 1926, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.

He also won the Neill Gold Medal from the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1908. In 1950, he gave the Wilkins Lecture, which is another special recognition for scientists.

Francis Cole's dedication to zoology and his efforts to create the Cole Museum left a lasting impact on the study of animals.