John William Heslop-Harrison facts for kids

Professor John William Heslop Harrison (1881–1967) was a famous botanist. He taught at Durham University and later Newcastle University. He studied the genetics of moths and had a very successful career. However, he is also remembered for some discoveries that were later questioned.

Early Life and Education

John William Heslop Harrison was born in Birtley, England, on January 22, 1881. His father worked at a local iron factory.

From a young age, he loved nature. His mother was a keen gardener. His uncle and a neighbor also helped him develop an interest in plants and animals.

He studied at Durham College of Science. He earned his first degree in 1903. Later, he continued his studies at the University of Newcastle. He received his master's degree in 1916 and his doctorate in 1917.

Because of his important work, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1921. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1928. These are very high honors for scientists. He passed away in Birtley on January 23, 1967.

Career as a Scientist

John Heslop Harrison started his career as a schoolteacher. He taught in Gateshead from 1903 to 1905. Then he taught in Middlesbrough until 1917.

In 1917, he began teaching at the University of Newcastle. He taught about genetics and botany. He became a full professor in 1927. He stayed in this important role until he retired in 1946.

The Rùm Island Discoveries

In 1948, some of Heslop Harrison's plant discoveries were questioned. He had claimed to find certain types of plants on the island of Rùm in Scotland. These plants were important for a scientific idea. This idea suggested that parts of the islands might have escaped the last ice age.

However, another scientist, John Raven, said that Heslop Harrison's claims were not true. Later, a book called A Rum Affair (published in 1999) looked into this issue. It suggested that some of the plant findings might have been faked. More evidence supporting this idea came out in 2008.

Experiments on Inheritance

Heslop Harrison often worked alone. He did many of his experiments at his home. He was interested in a theory called Lamarckism. This idea suggests that changes an animal or plant gets during its life can be passed on to its children.

He believed his experiments with moths and sawflies showed this. For example, he thought that pollution could change a moth's genes. He believed these changes could then be passed to the moth's offspring.

However, other scientists tried to repeat his experiments. They often got different results. His ideas were also questioned by other famous scientists of his time.

Family Life

In 1906, John Heslop Harrison married Christian Watson Henderson. They had several children.

Their oldest son, George Heslop-Harrison, also became a well-known entomologist. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects.

His fourth son, Jack Heslop-Harrison, also became a famous botanist. He later became the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1970. His daughter Helena also married a botanist named William Andrew Clark.