John Gray (physiologist) facts for kids

Sir John Archibald Browne Gray (born March 13, 1918, died January 4, 2011) was a famous British scientist. He was a physiologist, which means he studied how living things, like humans, work. Sir John was also the leader of the Medical Research Council (MRC) from 1968 to 1977. This council helps fund important medical research in the UK.

Early Life and Education

John Gray was born in London. His father, Sir Archibald Gray, was also a well-known doctor who studied skin.

John went to Cheltenham College for his schooling. After that, he studied medicine at Clare College, Cambridge and University College Hospital.

Research During World War II

In 1943, John Gray started his research at the MRC's Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training School. He studied how soldiers' bodies reacted to tough conditions during battles.

During World War II, he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon-lieutenant. He continued his research, looking at how working inside tanks and naval gun turrets affected people's bodies.

Later Research and Leadership

From 1946 to 1952, John Gray worked at the National Institute for Medical Research. Here, he focused on neurophysiology, which is the study of how the nervous system works.

Later, he became a professor of physiology at University College London. His research there focused on sensory systems, which are the parts of our bodies that help us see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.

In 1966, he became the second secretary at the Medical Research Council (MRC). He then became the main secretary in 1968, taking over from Harold Himsworth.

For his important work, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1972. He was also knighted in 1973, which means he received the title "Sir."

After the MRC

After leading the MRC, Sir John Gray went back to his research. He studied the sensory systems of fish at the Marine Biological Association Laboratories in Plymouth.

He also served as the President of the Freshwater Biological Association from 1983 to 1987. This group studies life in freshwater environments.

Family Life

In 1946, Sir John Gray married Vera Mares. They had a son and a daughter. Vera passed away in 2010.