Nevill Willmer facts for kids

Edward Nevill Willmer, often called E.N. Willmer, was an important British scientist. He was born on August 15, 1902, and lived until April 8, 2001. He taught about cells and tissues as a professor at Cambridge University from 1966 to 1969. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.

Early Life and Education

E.N. Willmer was born in Birkenhead, England, in 1902. His father, Arthur Washington Willmer, worked as a cotton broker. E.N. Willmer went to Birkenhead School for his early education.

He then studied at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he earned his degree in 1924. After his studies, he worked at Manchester University. Later, in 1936, he became a Fellow at Clare College, Cambridge.

Family Life

In 1939, E.N. Willmer married Henrietta Rowlatt, who was known as Penny. They had a family together, including two sons and two daughters.

His brother, Gordon Willmer, became a judge. Another older brother, Arthur Willmer, was a first-class cricketer and an army officer. Sadly, Arthur was killed during a major battle called the Battle of the Somme.

Contributions to Science

E.N. Willmer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1960. This is a very special award given to top scientists. He became a full professor at Cambridge in 1966. After retiring in 1969, he was named Professor Emeritus. This means he kept his title as a professor even after he stopped teaching full-time.

Studying Cells in the Lab

Willmer's most important scientific work was a huge three-book series. It was called "Cells and Tissue in Culture: methods, biology and physiology" (1965). This massive project focused on cells and tissues grown in a laboratory.

He spent a lot of time figuring out how to keep these cells healthy. This included finding the right food and conditions for them to grow outside of a living body. His work helped other scientists learn how to study cells more effectively.

Other Books and Interests

Besides his scientific books, Willmer also wrote other books. These included Waen and the Willmers and The Sallow Bush. He also wrote several books about Grantchester, the village where he lived after he retired.

Willmer was also a talented artist. He painted many oil paintings, mostly showing landscapes. These often featured scenes from Cambridgeshire and Mid Wales. He also enjoyed designing gardens. He created the beautiful Fellows' Garden at Clare College, which is still enjoyed today.

Later Life and Legacy

E.N. Willmer retired to Grantchester in 1969. He passed away there in April 2001, at the age of 98. His work in understanding how to grow and study cells in the lab left a lasting impact on science.