John Gray McKendrick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Gray McKendrick
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| Born | 12 August 1841 Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Died | 2 January 1926 (aged 84) Glasgow, Scotland
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Citizenship | British |
| Alma mater | University of Aberdeen University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow |
| Awards | Makdougall-Brisbane Prize |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physiology |
| Institutions | Scotland |
John Gray McKendrick (born August 12, 1841 – died January 2, 1926) was a very important Scottish scientist. He studied how the human body works, which is called physiology. He was a professor at the University of Glasgow for many years. He also helped start a group for scientists who study physiology.
Early Life and Studies
John Gray McKendrick was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1841. His father, James McKendrick, was a merchant in Aberdeen.
When he was young, John first trained to be a lawyer from 1855 to 1861. But he soon decided that law was not for him. He left his law studies to learn about medicine instead. He went to the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh. He finished his medical degree in 1864.
After graduating, he worked in different hospitals. He worked in Chester, Whitechapel, and Belford Hospital in Fort William. In 1869, he became an assistant to a physiology professor in Edinburgh. This allowed him to do his own research. He studied the nervous system and how our senses work.
In 1873, John McKendrick became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a very respected group for scientists. He even won a special award from them, called the Makdougall-Brisbane Prize.
Working in Glasgow
In 1873, McKendrick moved to the University of Glasgow. He started as a lecturer, teaching students outside the main university courses. One of his students was a famous doctor named Sophia Jex-Blake.
In 1876, he became the main professor of physiology at the university. John McKendrick was a very popular teacher. He worked hard to get money to make his department more modern. He wanted to focus on teaching and studying physiology in new ways. He even changed the name of his position in 1893 to "Chair of Physiology." This showed his efforts to modernize the field.
McKendrick also helped create the Physiological Society. This group brings together scientists who study how the body works. He was also a professor at the Royal Institution from 1881 to 1884. He gave special lectures there.
He was chosen to be a member of the Royal Society in 1884. This is one of the oldest and most famous science organizations. He gave two special Christmas lectures at the Royal Institution. These lectures were for young people. He talked about "Life in Motion; or the Animal Machine" and "Sound, Hearing and Speech." He retired from his teaching job in 1906.
Later Years
After he retired in 1910, he became the leader of the town of Stonehaven. This role is called a Provost. He moved back to Glasgow around 1925. John Gray McKendrick passed away at his home on January 2, 1926. He was 84 years old.
Family Life
John McKendrick married Mary Souttar in 1867. They had two sons who also became important scientists. Their sons, John Souttar McKendrick and Anderson Gray M'Kendrick, both became members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
