George Rolleston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Rolleston
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George Rolleston.
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| Born | 30 July 1829 Maltby Hall, England
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| Died | 16 July 1881 (aged 51) |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Linacre Professor of Anatomy and Physiology University of Oxford |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Zoology |
George Rolleston (born July 30, 1829 – died June 16, 1881) was an important English doctor and scientist. He studied animals, which is called zoology. He was the very first Linacre Professor of Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Oxford. He held this special job from 1860 until he passed away in 1881. Rolleston was a friend of Thomas Henry Huxley, another famous scientist. He believed in evolution, which is the idea that living things change over time.
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Early Life and Education
George Rolleston was born in a place called Maltby Hall, near Rotherham, England. His father was a church leader and a local landowner. George had a brother named William Rolleston, who later became a well-known politician in New Zealand.
George went to several schools, including Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School. He also studied at Pembroke College, Oxford and St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. He worked hard and earned degrees in arts and medicine. In 1850, he got a top grade in Classics at Oxford.
Becoming a Doctor and Scientist
After becoming a doctor, Rolleston worked at a British hospital in Smyrna during the Crimean War. He also worked at the Children's Hospital in London. But over time, he became more interested in studying animals. This field is known as zoology.
He spent the rest of his career focusing on zoology and human sciences. His research covered many areas. These included comparative anatomy (comparing body structures), physiology (how bodies work), and archaeology (studying old human history). He also studied anthropology, which is the study of human societies and cultures.
In 1860, George Rolleston was chosen for a new and important job. He became the Linacre Professor of Anatomy and Physiology at Oxford. He kept this role until he died. He also became a member of important groups like the Royal Society in 1862. This shows how respected he was in the scientific world.
Family Life and Later Years
In 1861, George Rolleston married Grace Davy. Her father, John Davy, was also a famous scientist. Grace was also the niece of Sir Humphry Davy, another very well-known chemist. George and Grace had seven children together.
George Rolleston became very ill and passed away in Oxford in 1881. He is buried with his wife in Holywell Cemetery. His great-grandson, Frank Gardner, later learned more about the family's history. He found out that after George's death, Grace struggled with her health and needed special care.
George Rolleston's collection of anthropological items is now kept at the Ashmolean Museum. This museum also has old archaeological finds from his work. There is a statue of him at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. One of his sons, Sir Humphry Rolleston, also became a very respected doctor.
Scientific Career and Evolution
George Rolleston was a close student and friend of Thomas Henry Huxley. Huxley was a very important scientist who supported Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution. Rolleston was involved in the famous 1860 Oxford evolution debate at a big science meeting in Oxford.
Rolleston helped organize this meeting. He even made sure Huxley had a crocodile skull to study in his room! Huxley helped Rolleston get his job as the Linacre Professor. Rolleston was very grateful for Huxley's support.
Debates and Beliefs
Rolleston was an expert on the brain. He was present when Huxley argued against another scientist, Owen. Owen claimed that human brains had parts that ape brains did not. Huxley and Rolleston showed this was not true.
Rolleston was also at the big debate about Darwin's ideas. His opponent was Bishop Samuel Wilberforce. Rolleston was a religious person, but he had open-minded views. He supported the idea of evolution, even though it was a new and sometimes controversial idea at the time.
Rolleston was so closely linked to Huxley that he was even mentioned in a funny story written in 1863. This story made fun of the scientific debates of the time. It showed Rolleston cheering on "Charlie Darwin."
Rolleston later said that when he talked about evolution, people would often ask if he was an atheist (someone who doesn't believe in God) or a Unitarian (a type of Christian with different beliefs). Some of Huxley's strong criticisms of old religious texts did make Rolleston feel a bit uneasy. In 1869, he was chosen as a member of the American Philosophical Society, showing his growing international recognition.
Images for kids
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A portrait of George Rolleston from around 1860.
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A bust (sculpture of the head and shoulders) of George Rolleston at the Oxford University Museum.
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See also
