R. B. Seymour Sewell facts for kids

Robert Beresford Seymour Sewell (born March 5, 1880 – died February 11, 1964) was a British doctor who worked for the Indian Medical Service. He was also a special scientist called a Surgeon Naturalist. He studied tiny sea creatures known as copepods. He also helped edit a very important book series. This series was called The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. It described all the animals found in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

Early Life and Education

Robert Sewell was born in 1880 in a town called Leamington, Warwickshire, in England. His father was Arthur Sewell, a reverend. His mother was Mary Lee.

Becoming a Doctor

Robert Sewell studied at University College London for six months. After that, he went to Christ's College at Cambridge University. He earned his first degree from Cambridge in 1902. Later, he studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. He became a qualified doctor in 1907.

A Career in India

In 1908, Robert Sewell joined the Indian Medical Service as a Lieutenant. This service provided medical care in British India. He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Captain in 1911.

Military and Medical Roles

His first jobs were as a medical officer for different army groups. He also worked as a malaria officer. During the First World War, he served in a place called Mesopotamia. He was recognized for his brave service there. He became a Major in 1919 and a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1927.

Surgeon Naturalist

From 1910 to 1925, Sewell had a very interesting job. He was the Surgeon Naturalist on a ship called the RIMS Investigator. This ship explored the oceans around India. As a Surgeon Naturalist, he studied marine life. He was especially good at identifying and classifying copepods. These are tiny crustaceans that live in the ocean.

Leading the Zoological Survey

In 1925, Robert Sewell became the Director of the Zoological Survey of India. This organization studies animals in India. He worked there until he retired in 1933. While working there, he also studied fish that could help control malaria. Malaria is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes.

Post-Retirement Work

After retiring from the Indian Medical Service, Sewell continued his scientific work. He was chosen to lead the John Murray expedition. This was a big trip to explore the Indian Ocean. He also became an editor for the important Fauna of British India book series. He worked on this series from 1933 until 1963.

Personal Life

Robert Sewell married Dorothy Dean in 1914. Sadly, Dorothy passed away in 1931. They had two daughters. One daughter became a nurse, and the other became a scholar of English literature.