Michael Stoker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Michael Stoker
CBE FRS FRSE FRCP
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Stoker in the 1960s
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 July 1918 |
| Died | 13 August 2013 (aged 95) |
| Spouse | Veronica (died 2004) |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| 3rd President of Clare Hall, Cambridge | |
| In office 1980–1987 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Robert Honeycombe |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Low |
Sir Michael George Parke Stoker (born July 4, 1918 – died August 13, 2013) was a British doctor and scientist. He was a medical researcher who studied virology, which is the study of viruses.
Early Life and War Service
Michael Stoker was born in Taunton, UK. His father was also a doctor. Michael went to Oakham School and then studied medicine at the University of Cambridge.
When World War II started, he was training at St Thomas's Hospital in London. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, which is the medical branch of the British Army. He was sent to India.
While in India, he worked in different cities like Lucknow and Pune. In Pune, he started studying diseases like typhus. At the time, scientists thought the germs causing these diseases were a type of virus. This work led him to his lifelong career in virology. He returned home in 1947.
A Career in Science
After the war, Stoker became a Fellow at Clare College, Cambridge in 1948. He also taught medical students there from 1949 to 1958. Between 1953 and 1956, he researched a type of bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. This bacteria causes a sickness known as Q fever.
In 1958, Stoker moved to Glasgow University. He became the first professor of virology there. This was the first time a British university had a professor specifically for studying viruses. He also became the honorary director of the Medical Research Council Unit in 1959.
From 1968 to 1979, he was the director of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories. Later, he became the president of Clare Hall at Cambridge University from 1980 to 1987.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Stoker was recognized for his important work.
- In 1968, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- He gave the Leeuwenhoek Lecture in 1971, which is a special lecture about microbiology.
- He was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1974.
- He was knighted in 1980, which means he received the title "Sir."
Family Life
Michael Stoker married Veronica English in 1942. They met when they were both students at the University of Cambridge. They had five children together. Veronica passed away in 2004.
