Frank Rattray Lillie
Encyclopedia
Frank Rattray Lillie was an early American
zoologist, who was an early pioneer of the study of embryology
. He had a career long relationship with the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
.
Graduated in 1891 from University of Toronto
and became a fellow in zoology at Clark University
. In 1892 he was lured by President Harper to the newly founded University of Chicago
. In 1894 (at the age of 24) he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology. Between 1894-1899 he was instructor of zoology at University of Michigan
. Between 1899-1900 he was Professor of Biology at Vassar College
but in 1900 he was called back to Chicago as Assistant Professor of Zoology. In 1906, at the age of 36, he became professor of Embryology. In 1910 he succeeded C.O. Whitman as chairman of the Department of Zoology and continued in that capacity until 1931. From 1931 to 1935 he was Dean of the Division of the Biological Sciences.
From 1935 to 1935 he was served in the joint positions of President of the National Academy of Sciences
and Chairman of the United States National Research Council
.
He was Director of the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
from 1908-1939.
He founded and was first President (1930-1939) of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
.
His most important academic work—as distinct from his considerable contributions to the institutions of science in America—included experiments on the phenomenon of freemartin
in cattle, which led to his discovery of the existence, and analysis of, the operation of the male hormone.
On June 29, 1895 he married Frances Williams Crane, daughter of Richard T. Crane
and sister of Charles R. Crane.
FR Lillie Road in Woods Hole as well as the Lillie building at the MBL are named after him.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
zoologist, who was an early pioneer of the study of embryology
Embryology
Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage...
. He had a career long relationship with the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
Marine Biological Laboratory
The Marine Biological Laboratory is an international center for research and education in biology, biomedicine and ecology. Founded in 1888, the MBL is the oldest independent marine laboratory in the Americas, taking advantage of a coastal setting in the Cape Cod village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts...
.
Graduated in 1891 from University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and became a fellow in zoology at Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
. In 1892 he was lured by President Harper to the newly founded University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In 1894 (at the age of 24) he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology. Between 1894-1899 he was instructor of zoology at University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Between 1899-1900 he was Professor of Biology at Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
but in 1900 he was called back to Chicago as Assistant Professor of Zoology. In 1906, at the age of 36, he became professor of Embryology. In 1910 he succeeded C.O. Whitman as chairman of the Department of Zoology and continued in that capacity until 1931. From 1931 to 1935 he was Dean of the Division of the Biological Sciences.
From 1935 to 1935 he was served in the joint positions of President of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
and Chairman of the United States National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
.
He was Director of the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
Marine Biological Laboratory
The Marine Biological Laboratory is an international center for research and education in biology, biomedicine and ecology. Founded in 1888, the MBL is the oldest independent marine laboratory in the Americas, taking advantage of a coastal setting in the Cape Cod village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts...
from 1908-1939.
He founded and was first President (1930-1939) of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, nonprofit research and higher education facility dedicated to the study of all aspects of marine science and engineering and to the education of marine researchers. Established in 1930, it is the largest independent oceanographic research...
.
His most important academic work—as distinct from his considerable contributions to the institutions of science in America—included experiments on the phenomenon of freemartin
Freemartin
A freemartin or free-martin is an infertile female mammal which has masculinized behavior and non-functioning ovaries. Genetically and externally the animal is female, but it is sterilized in the womb by hormones from a male twin, becoming an infertile partial intersex...
in cattle, which led to his discovery of the existence, and analysis of, the operation of the male hormone.
On June 29, 1895 he married Frances Williams Crane, daughter of Richard T. Crane
Richard T. Crane
Richard Teller Crane , son of Timothy Botchford Crane and Maria Ryerson, was the founder of R.T. Crane & Bro., a Chicago-based manufacturer.-Nineteenth Century:...
and sister of Charles R. Crane.
FR Lillie Road in Woods Hole as well as the Lillie building at the MBL are named after him.