John William Dakin
Encyclopedia
William John Dakin was a zoologist
who is remembered for the large number of his students who achieved prominence in th area of zoology and for the number of books and papers he wrote on many scientific fields.
Dakin was born in Toxteth
, a suburb of Liverpool, England
in 1883 the son William and Elizabeth Dakin. His father was a coal
merchant.
Studying at the University of Liverpool
he attained his BSc
with first class honours in Zoology in 1905, his MSc
in 1907 and his DSc
in 1911 on osmotic pressure and the blood of fishes.
In 1912 Dakin applied and was appointed as the chair of Biology
at the recently established University of Western Australia
. Before arriving to take his post Dakin married Catherine Lewis in 1913.
While at UWA Dakin published The Elements of Animal Biology in 1918, chaired the extension committee, twice visited the Houtman Abrolhos
and was the president of the Royal Society of Western Australia
.
Dakin’s work had a huge influence on the progress of World War II. Using his knowledge of zoology and the natural camouflage
of particular organisms, Dakin suggested soldiers copy the methods of these animals and return to their primitive instincts when working on wartime camouflage. Dakin saw his suggestions acted upon in his position as Technical Director of Camouflage for Australia. His methods, however, were somewhat eccentric. He insisted, for example, on using Rudyard Kipling’s How the Leopard Got it’s Spots as part of his instructions to soldiers on the best methods of camouflage.
At the time of his death in 1950, Dakin had the privilege of being known as one of the world’s forefront researchers into zoology—and camouflage—of his time. His work raised important questions concerning the best methods of camouflage; his suggested return to primitivism continues to be a respected solution.
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
who is remembered for the large number of his students who achieved prominence in th area of zoology and for the number of books and papers he wrote on many scientific fields.
Dakin was born in Toxteth
Toxteth
Toxteth is an inner city area of Liverpool, England. Located to the south of the city, Toxteth is bordered by Liverpool City Centre, Dingle, Edge Hill, Wavertree and Aigburth.-Description:...
, a suburb of Liverpool, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1883 the son William and Elizabeth Dakin. His father was a coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
merchant.
Studying at the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
he attained his BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
with first class honours in Zoology in 1905, his MSc
MSC
- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
in 1907 and his DSc
DSC
-in academia:* D.Sc., Doctor of Science* Doctor of Surgical Chiropody, superseded in the 1960s by Doctor of Podiatric Medicine* Dalton State College, Georgia* Daytona State College, Florida* Deep Springs College, California* Dixie State College of Utah...
in 1911 on osmotic pressure and the blood of fishes.
In 1912 Dakin applied and was appointed as the chair of Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at the recently established University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
. Before arriving to take his post Dakin married Catherine Lewis in 1913.
While at UWA Dakin published The Elements of Animal Biology in 1918, chaired the extension committee, twice visited the Houtman Abrolhos
Houtman Abrolhos
The Houtman Abrolhos is a chain of 122 islands, and associated coral reefs, in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia. Nominally located at , it lies about eighty kilometres west of Geraldton, Western Australia...
and was the president of the Royal Society of Western Australia
Royal Society of Western Australia
The Royal Society of Western Australia promotes science in Western Australia.The RSWA was founded in 1914. It publishes the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, and has awarded the Medal of the Royal Society of Western Australia on an occasional basis since 1924.-External links:**...
.
Dakin’s work had a huge influence on the progress of World War II. Using his knowledge of zoology and the natural camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
of particular organisms, Dakin suggested soldiers copy the methods of these animals and return to their primitive instincts when working on wartime camouflage. Dakin saw his suggestions acted upon in his position as Technical Director of Camouflage for Australia. His methods, however, were somewhat eccentric. He insisted, for example, on using Rudyard Kipling’s How the Leopard Got it’s Spots as part of his instructions to soldiers on the best methods of camouflage.
At the time of his death in 1950, Dakin had the privilege of being known as one of the world’s forefront researchers into zoology—and camouflage—of his time. His work raised important questions concerning the best methods of camouflage; his suggested return to primitivism continues to be a respected solution.