Thomas Hunt Morgan Autograph

Profession:
(1866-1945) American evolutionary biologist, geneticist, embryologist, and science author who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1933 for discoveries elucidating the role that the chromosome plays in heredity

Year of Birth: 1866

Thomas Hunt Morgan was an influential American biologist and geneticist, known for his groundbreaking research on the role of chromosomes in heredity. He was born on September 25, 1866, in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in a highly educated family with a strong interest in science.

Morgan received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1890, where he studied under the renowned biologist William Keith Brooks. He later became a professor of experimental zoology at Columbia University, where he established himself as a leading figure in the field of genetics.

One of Morgan's most famous contributions to science was his discovery of the role of chromosomes in the inheritance of traits. In his experiments with fruit flies, Morgan demonstrated that genes are located on chromosomes and are passed down from one generation to the next.

In 1933, Morgan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the role of chromosomes in heredity. He was the first geneticist to receive this prestigious award, solidifying his status as a pioneer in the field of genetics.

Throughout his career, Morgan published numerous research papers and books, and trained a generation of scientists who would go on to make significant contributions to the field of genetics. He passed away on December 4, 1945, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of science.