John Hammond (physiologist) facts for kids

Sir John Hammond (born February 23, 1889 – died August 25, 1964) was a very important scientist. He studied how living things work (a physiologist). He also worked as an agricultural research scientist and a veterinarian, which is an animal doctor. He is famous for his groundbreaking work in artificial insemination, often called AI. There's even a special award named after him, the Sir John Hammond Memorial Prize.

Early Life and Education

John Hammond grew up in Briston, Norfolk, England. His father, Burrell Hammond, was a farmer. John went to Gresham's School and later studied at Downing College, Cambridge.

He was named after his grandfather, also called John Hammond. His grandfather was a farmer and a veterinarian. He also helped start the Red Poll cattle breed records in the 1870s.

A Career in Animal Science

John Hammond started at Downing College in 1907. He became a Fellow there, which is like being a senior member. For most of his career, he worked at the college. He also led the School of Physiology of Animal Reproduction at the University of Cambridge. He helped create the Cambridge Animal Research Station too.

Studying Animal Growth

In the early 1920s, Hammond did important studies on how animal embryos survive. His famous study in 1938, called Rate of Intra-uterine Growth, showed something interesting. It found that baby foals (young horses) growing inside their mothers grew at the same rate as their mother's pure breed. This was true even if the foals were crossbred.

He was the first to explain a theory about how nutrients are shared in an animal's body. This sharing depends on the animal's metabolism, or how fast its body uses energy. He also recorded how long cows are in heat (oestrus). For milking cows, it was about 19.3 hours, and for younger cows (heifers), it was about 16.1 hours. He also closely studied how farm animals changed shape over time. This happened because people domesticated them and bred them selectively.

Pioneering Artificial Insemination

John Hammond was one of the first scientists to work on artificial insemination (AI). He worked with Arthur Walton on this new method. AI is a way to help animals reproduce without them mating naturally.

Because of some beliefs and traditions in England, Hammond couldn't do all the AI work he wanted there. So, he supported research in other countries. For example, he sent his colleague, Dr. Luis Thomasset, to Russia. There, Dr. Thomasset worked with Soviet scientists on AI. Hammond also brought AI methods to other countries, like Argentina.

In 1947, he wrote the first complete book on AI in England. It was called The Artificial Insemination of Cattle.

Leading the Livestock World

Hammond also helped create the British Cattle Breeders Club in 1946. He was very active in the early days of the European Association for Animal Production. He served on its first planning committee.

By the end of his life, he was seen as a top expert in the British livestock world. Many people consider him the "father" of modern animal physiology. His two sons, John Hammond, Jr., and Christopher Hammond, also followed in his footsteps.

Awards and Recognition

Sir John Hammond received many awards for his important work:

• He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1933. This is a very high honor for scientists.
• He received the Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1946.
• He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1949.
• In 1954, he received the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic from Italy.
• He was knighted in 1960, which means he became "Sir John Hammond."
• He was the first person to receive the David Black Award in 1960.
• He received an honorary science degree (DSc) from the University of Leeds in 1961.
• After he passed away, he was given the International Stockman's Educational Foundation Hall of Fame Award in 1988.

To remember his contributions, the British Society of Animal Science gives out a Sir John Hammond Award every year. Also, a special Hammond Lecture was started in 1980. This lecture honors Sir John Hammond and is given by a scientist who has used reproductive research to help agriculture.