William Charles Osman Hill: Difference between revisions
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'''William Charles Osman Hill''' (July 13, 1901 - January 25, 1975) was a distinguished [[anatomist]] and eminent [[primatologist]], as well as a [[physician]], and [[anthropologist]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Beolens2009/> |
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| name = William Charles Osman Hill |
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| image = |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1901|7|13|df=y}} |
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| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1975|1|25|1901|7|13}} |
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| nationality = [[British people|British]] |
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| citizenship = |
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| field = [[primatology]], [[anatomy]], [[anthropology]] |
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| work_institutions = |
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| alma_mater = [[University of Birmingham]] |
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| doctoral_students = |
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| known_for = ''[[Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy]]'' |
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| prizes = |
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| footnotes = |
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| religion = |
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}} |
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'''William Charles Osman Hill''' (13 July 1901 - 25 January 1975) was an [[anatomist]], [[primatologist]], and the leading authority on primate anatomy during the 20th century. He is best known for his nearly completed eight-volume series, ''[[Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy]]'', which covered all living and extinct primates known at the time in full detail and contained illustrations created by his wife, Yvonne. Schooled at [[King Edward's School, Birmingham|King Edward VI School in Birmingham]] and [[University of Birmingham]], he went on to publish 248 works and accumulated a vast collection of primate specimens that are now stored at the [[Royal College of Surgeons of England]]. |
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==Education== |
==Education== |
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William Charles Osman Hill was born on July |
William Charles Osman Hill was born on 13 July 1901.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> He was educated first at [[King Edward's School, Birmingham|King Edward VI School in Birmingham]],<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> and later obtained his degrees from the [[University of Birmingham]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> During medical school, also at the University of Birmingham, he won several prizes including the Ingleby Scholarship in [[Midwifery]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> He obtained his primary [[medical degree]]s in 1924.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> That same year he took on the role of lecturer in [[zoology]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> Osman Hill earned his [[M.D.]] with honors in 1925.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> |
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==Career== |
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Upon graduation, Osman hill continued his role as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham under an [[apprenticeship]] until 1930, but teaching [[anatomy]] instead of zoology. In 1930, his career took shape when he moved to [[Sri Lanka]], then known as Ceylon, to become both Chair of Anatomy and Professor of Anatomy at the Ceylon Medical College (more recently named [[Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo|Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo]] or Colombo Medical School).<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> His position allowed him to pursue [[Anthropology|anthropological]] studies of the indigenous [[Veddah people]] and [[comparative anatomy]] of [[primate]]s. During this time, he began developing his collection of living primates.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> Osman Hill held this position for 14 years, returning to the U.K. after being appointed as [[Reader in Anthropology]] at the [[University of Edinburgh]] in 1945. Five years later, he became [[Prosector]] for the [[Zoological Society of London]] and remained there for twelve years.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> After also acting as a [[visiting scholar]] at [[Emory University]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]] between 1957 and 1958,<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> he left the Zoological Society of London in 1962 to serve as the Assistant Director of the [[Yerkes National Primate Research Center]] (YNPRC) in Atlanta.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> |
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The [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]] honored him as a [[fellow]] in 1955 and, for his contributions to science, also awarded him both its Gold Medal and the Macdougal-Brisbane Prize. Upon his retiring from YNPRC, the [[Royal College of Surgeons of England]] made him a Hunterian Trustee. Following retirement, Osman Hill divided his time between his home at [[Folkestone]] and his continued work at the [[University of Turin]]. His relentless work in anatomy ended only during the final stages of his terminal illness after suffering three years of increased illness as well as [[diabetes]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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==Publications== |
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During his career, Osman Hill wrote 248 publications, all articles or chapters in books based on primarily upon his own observations.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> His first paper, which discussed the comparative anatomy of the pancreas, was published in 1926. In all, his works, which continued being published until the year of his death, focused on the anatomy and behavior of humans, primates, and other [[mammal]]s.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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Osman Hill is best known for writing ''[[Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy]]'', an eight-volume series that aimed to include all living and extinct primates. Published by [[Edinburgh University]] between 1953 and 1974, the series was the culmination of 50&nbps;years of his scientific research and thought. Each volume, starting with the [[Strepsirrhini|strepsirrhines]], covered its subjects exhaustively, including native and scientific [[nomenclature]], anatomical structure, genetics, behavior and [[paleontology]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> The books were illustrated with both photographs and drawings, most of which were made by his wife, Yvonne. Despite its breadth and depth, the series was never completed. Projected as a nine-volume set, Osman Hill died in 1975, leaving his [[magnum opus]] unfinished.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> With five sections of the final volume written, including material on the taxonomy and most of the anatomy of [[Colobinae|langur]]s, it was hoped that his widow would be able to follow through with plans to prepare and publish them.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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==Legacy== |
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Osman Hill is remembered as a "distinguished [[anatomist]]", "eminent [[primatologist]]," and the foremost authority on primate anatomy of his time.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Day1981/> He is also remembered for his work as a "painstaking investigator",<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> [[physician]], and [[anthropologist]].<ref name=Beolens2009/> In his honor, two species have been named after him: [[Osman Hill's Mangabey|Osman Hill's mangabey]] (''Lophocebus osmani'') and [[Colombo wolf snake]] (''Lycodon osmanhilli''). Also, the [[Primate Society of Great Britain]] named their Osman Hill Medal award after him.<ref name=Beolens2009/> |
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His extensive collection of biological primate specimens, which included tissues and skeletons, is preserved at the [[Royal College of Surgeons of England]].<ref name=InMemoriam1975/><ref name=Beolens2009/> |
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==Personal life== |
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Osman Hill married his wife, Yvonne, in 1947. Yvonne, the daughter of [[Innes Harold Stranger|Harold Stranger]] K.C., M.P., was not only his devoted wife, but also a collaborator and illustrator of his works.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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Osman Hill was described in a memorial published in the ''[[International Journal of Primatology]]'' (1981) as being "short and rotund, with twinkling blue eyes, a quiet manner, and a strong sense of humor." He was particularly remembered for his eagerness to help young researchers.<ref name=Day1981/> In another memorial, published in the ''[[Journal of Anatomy]]'' in 1975, he was described as friendly and tolerant, as well as "a merry man, vigorous, of humane culture, having the humour and good sense natural to those bred in the Provinces: a good Englishman." He was known to value simple citizenship and academics, and held small regard for people who "aspired to monarchy."<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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His casual interests included drugstore ice cream, good eating, old buildings, and gardening with his wife.<ref name=InMemoriam1975/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Anatomists]] |
[[Category:Anatomists]] |
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[[Category:British anthropologists]] |
[[Category:British anthropologists]] |
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[[Category:Old Edwardians (Birmingham)]] |
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[[Category:Alumni of the University of Birmingham]] |
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Revision as of 08:51, 28 January 2011
William Charles Osman Hill | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 July 1901 |
| Died | 25 January 1975 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham |
| Known for | Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | primatology, anatomy, anthropology |
William Charles Osman Hill (13 July 1901 - 25 January 1975) was an anatomist, primatologist, and the leading authority on primate anatomy during the 20th century. He is best known for his nearly completed eight-volume series, Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy, which covered all living and extinct primates known at the time in full detail and contained illustrations created by his wife, Yvonne. Schooled at King Edward VI School in Birmingham and University of Birmingham, he went on to publish 248 works and accumulated a vast collection of primate specimens that are now stored at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Education
William Charles Osman Hill was born on 13 July 1901.[1] He was educated first at King Edward VI School in Birmingham,[1][2] and later obtained his degrees from the University of Birmingham.[1] During medical school, also at the University of Birmingham, he won several prizes including the Ingleby Scholarship in Midwifery.[1] He obtained his primary medical degrees in 1924.[1][2] That same year he took on the role of lecturer in zoology.[1] Osman Hill earned his M.D. with honors in 1925.[1][2]
Career
Upon graduation, Osman hill continued his role as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham under an apprenticeship until 1930, but teaching anatomy instead of zoology. In 1930, his career took shape when he moved to Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, to become both Chair of Anatomy and Professor of Anatomy at the Ceylon Medical College (more recently named Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo or Colombo Medical School).[1][2] His position allowed him to pursue anthropological studies of the indigenous Veddah people and comparative anatomy of primates. During this time, he began developing his collection of living primates.[1] Osman Hill held this position for 14 years, returning to the U.K. after being appointed as Reader in Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh in 1945. Five years later, he became Prosector for the Zoological Society of London and remained there for twelve years.[1][2] After also acting as a visiting scholar at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia between 1957 and 1958,[1] he left the Zoological Society of London in 1962 to serve as the Assistant Director of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC) in Atlanta.[1][2]
The Royal Society of Edinburgh honored him as a fellow in 1955 and, for his contributions to science, also awarded him both its Gold Medal and the Macdougal-Brisbane Prize. Upon his retiring from YNPRC, the Royal College of Surgeons of England made him a Hunterian Trustee. Following retirement, Osman Hill divided his time between his home at Folkestone and his continued work at the University of Turin. His relentless work in anatomy ended only during the final stages of his terminal illness after suffering three years of increased illness as well as diabetes.[1]
Publications
During his career, Osman Hill wrote 248 publications, all articles or chapters in books based on primarily upon his own observations.[1][2] His first paper, which discussed the comparative anatomy of the pancreas, was published in 1926. In all, his works, which continued being published until the year of his death, focused on the anatomy and behavior of humans, primates, and other mammals.[1]
Osman Hill is best known for writing Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy, an eight-volume series that aimed to include all living and extinct primates. Published by Edinburgh University between 1953 and 1974, the series was the culmination of 50&nbps;years of his scientific research and thought. Each volume, starting with the strepsirrhines, covered its subjects exhaustively, including native and scientific nomenclature, anatomical structure, genetics, behavior and paleontology.[1] The books were illustrated with both photographs and drawings, most of which were made by his wife, Yvonne. Despite its breadth and depth, the series was never completed. Projected as a nine-volume set, Osman Hill died in 1975, leaving his magnum opus unfinished.[1][2] With five sections of the final volume written, including material on the taxonomy and most of the anatomy of langurs, it was hoped that his widow would be able to follow through with plans to prepare and publish them.[1]
Legacy
Osman Hill is remembered as a "distinguished anatomist", "eminent primatologist," and the foremost authority on primate anatomy of his time.[1][2] He is also remembered for his work as a "painstaking investigator",[1] physician, and anthropologist.[3] In his honor, two species have been named after him: Osman Hill's mangabey (Lophocebus osmani) and Colombo wolf snake (Lycodon osmanhilli). Also, the Primate Society of Great Britain named their Osman Hill Medal award after him.[3]
His extensive collection of biological primate specimens, which included tissues and skeletons, is preserved at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.[1][3]
Personal life
Osman Hill married his wife, Yvonne, in 1947. Yvonne, the daughter of Harold Stranger K.C., M.P., was not only his devoted wife, but also a collaborator and illustrator of his works.[1]
Osman Hill was described in a memorial published in the International Journal of Primatology (1981) as being "short and rotund, with twinkling blue eyes, a quiet manner, and a strong sense of humor." He was particularly remembered for his eagerness to help young researchers.[2] In another memorial, published in the Journal of Anatomy in 1975, he was described as friendly and tolerant, as well as "a merry man, vigorous, of humane culture, having the humour and good sense natural to those bred in the Provinces: a good Englishman." He was known to value simple citizenship and academics, and held small regard for people who "aspired to monarchy."[1]
His casual interests included drugstore ice cream, good eating, old buildings, and gardening with his wife.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 1104549, please use {{cite journal}} with
|pmid= 1104549instead. - ^ a b c d e f g h i j Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1007/BF02693443, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi= 10.1007/BF02693443instead. - ^ a b c Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 301–302. ISBN 978-0801893049.