N. W. Simmonds facts for kids

Norman Willison Simmonds (born December 1922 – died January 2002) was a British scientist who studied plants. He was a world expert on growing bananas. He was also the first person from outside America to receive a special award for his work with useful plants.

Early Life and Education

Norman Simmonds was born in Bedford, England, in December 1922. His father worked for the government. Norman went to Whitgift School from 1934 to 1940.

He was very good at science! He won a scholarship to study natural sciences at Downing College, Cambridge. Later, in 1943, he won another scholarship. This one allowed him to study at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad.

Studying Bananas

In 1945, the college in Trinidad asked Norman to become a botany lecturer. Botany is the study of plants. He later became a Senior Cytogeneticist in the Banana Research Section. This means he studied the genes and cells of bananas.

During this time, he traveled to collect banana samples. He went to East Africa in 1948. He also visited Asia and Malaysia in 1954 and 1955. These trips helped him learn more about different types of bananas.

Leading Plant Research

From 1959 to 1965, Norman Simmonds led the Potato Genetics Department. This was at the John Innes Institute. He studied how potato plants pass on their traits.

In 1965, he became the Director of the Scottish Plant Breeding Station. This important research center was in Pentlandfield, near Edinburgh.

Awards and Recognition

Norman Simmonds received a special doctorate degree (DSc) from the University of Cambridge in 1966. This showed how much he had achieved in his scientific work.

On March 2, 1970, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a very respected group of scientists in Scotland. In 1975, he was also made an Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh.

Norman Simmonds passed away in Edinburgh on January 4, 2002. He is remembered for his important work with bananas and other plants.