Background
He was born in Nantwich, Cheshire. His father was a furniture-maker in Nantwich.
He was born in Nantwich, Cheshire. His father was a furniture-maker in Nantwich.
Bachelor of Science, University Manchester, 1931.
He was the second vice chancellor of the University of Southampton serving from 1965-1971. He was instrumental in persuading the University Grants Committee to establish a new Medical School at the university. He then gained research scholarship from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries working at the John Innes Horticultural Institution in Merton Park, Surrey, on chromosome behaviour.
In 1933 he gained a London University Doctor of Philosophy. In 1933 he worked in Sweden, returning in 1934 to University College London to work under Ronald Fisher where he gained experience in statistical analysis.
From 1937-1938 he went to the United States of America under a Rockefeller scholarship and then returned as head of genetics at the John Innes Institute. In 1948 he became professor of genetics at Birmingham University.
In 1965 as Vice Chancellor at Southampton he had a difficult time with student unrest but was able to establish a new medical school for the university. He returned to Birmingham as an Honorary
Professor and did work there on biometrical genetics until his death.
Member Agricultural Research Council, 1949—1954, 1955—1960, 1969—1979. Science research council, 1965—1969. Member Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group, 1976—1978, Wessex Regional Hospital Board, 1968—1971.
Fellow: Royal Society.
Married Mona Rhodes Mather, 1937.