Sydney J. Hickson facts for kids

Sydney John Hickson was a famous British zoologist. He was born on June 25, 1859, and passed away on February 6, 1940. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals. Hickson was known for his important work on how living things change over time (evolution). He also studied how living things develop from tiny beginnings (embryology). His research also covered how traits are passed down (genetics) and how living things are classified (systematics). He was even a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.

A Life of Discovery

Sydney Hickson loved to travel and explore. In 1885 and 1886, he traveled through the Malay archipelago. This area includes many islands in Southeast Asia. His trips helped him learn a lot about different animals.

In 1894, he became a Professor of Zoology. He taught at the University of Manchester. Just one year later, in 1895, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This shows how important his scientific work was.

Studying Corals

Sydney Hickson was an expert on corals. Corals are tiny sea animals that build hard skeletons. These skeletons create large underwater structures called coral reefs. Many coral specimens from Hickson's research are kept at the Manchester Museum.

Some of these corals are "type specimens." This means they are the original examples used to describe new species. Other scientists, like John Stanley Gardiner, also contributed to this collection. Hickson's notes and papers are kept at the University of Manchester Library. These papers help us learn more about his discoveries.

Leading a Society

From 1915 to 1917, Hickson was the President of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. This group brings together people who love science, literature, and learning. Being president showed his leadership skills. It also showed his dedication to sharing knowledge.

Collecting Plants

Besides animals, Hickson also collected plants. He found many different plant types during his travels. He collected plants in Indonesia, Mexico, and Arizona. His plant specimens are now stored at Kew Gardens. This is a famous botanical garden in England.

A Family Connection

Sydney Hickson's daughter also became a doctor. Her name was Sylvia Kema Hickson. She later married and became Sylvia Guthrie. She worked as a pediatrician in Manchester. A pediatrician is a doctor who takes care of children.