John Boyd (bacteriologist) facts for kids
Sir John Smith Knox Boyd (born September 18, 1891 – died June 10, 1981) was a very important Scottish scientist. He was a bacteriologist, which means he studied tiny living things like bacteria and how they cause diseases. He was also a senior officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), which is the medical part of the British Army. He received many honors for his work, including being made a Knight and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Contents
Sir John Boyd's Life Story
Early Life and Education
John Boyd was born in Largs, Scotland. His father, John Knox Boyd, worked at a bank. John went to Largs Academy for school. After that, he studied medicine at Glasgow University. He was a brilliant student and finished at the very top of his class in 1913. He earned his first medical degrees that year. Later, he continued his studies and earned more advanced medical degrees.
Serving in the Army
In 1914, John Boyd joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. This is the part of the British Army that provides medical care. He served as a doctor during the First World War in places like France, Belgium, and Salonika. He stayed with the RAMC until 1946. During the Second World War, he also served in the Middle East and Europe. For a year, he was the head of all the army's medical research at the War Office. He reached the rank of Brigadier, which is a high military position.
After the Army and His Honors
After leaving the army, Sir John Boyd became the Director of the Wellcome Laboratories of Tropical Medicine. This was a famous laboratory that studied diseases common in hot countries. He worked there until 1955.
He received many important awards for his scientific work. In 1942, he was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 1951, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. These are very high honors for scientists and doctors. In 1958, he was made a Knight, which means he could use "Sir" before his name. He also received special awards from universities and the Manson Medal in 1968 for his work in tropical medicine.
Personal Life and Legacy
Sir John Boyd was married twice. His first wife, Elizabeth Edgar, passed away in 1956. He then married Mary Murphy in 1957, and she passed away in 1968.
A type of bacteria, called Shigella boydii, was named after him. This shows how important his work was in understanding and fighting diseases caused by bacteria.
