Swale Vincent
Encyclopedia
Thomas Swale Vincent was a British
physiologist
.
, and subsequently studied at Mason College (which later became the University of Birmingham
). At age 24, Swale qualified in medicine, and travelled to the University of Heidelberg to study under Albrecht Kossel
. He then returned to Mason College as a demonstrator of physiology.
in London. In 1897, Vincent succeeded Benjamin Moore
as Sharpey Scholar, becoming assistant professor to Schäfer, and, in 1899, to Ernest Starling.
In 1900, Vincent was appointed a lecturer at Cardiff, where his students included future cardiologist Thomas Lewis
, with whom he published two papers on the biochemistry of muscle. Lewis later wrote, "I have always been grateful to Vincent for giving me my first introduction to scientific work." Two years later, he was awarded the Francis Mason Research Scholarship, and rejoined Schäfer, now at the University of Edinburgh
, to study the physiology of the thymus
and other ductless gland
s.
In 1904, Vincent was appointed the first Professor of Physiology at the University of Manitoba
in Winnipeg, Canada. Here, he oversaw the research of biochemist Alexander Thomas Cameron
, and was influential in fostering Cameron's interest in endocrinology
. Vincent remained at Manitoba until 1920, when he returned to London to become Professor of Physiology at Middlesex Hospital
. He retired from this post in 1930.
, also had a deep love of music.
earned him a strong international reputation in his field. He was known for his "highly critical and sceptical mind," and was described by colleague William Cramer
as "a man of firm principles and high ideals on which he would not compromise."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
physiologist
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
.
Early years
Thomas Swale Vincent was the son of J. Vincent and Margaret Swale. He was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, and subsequently studied at Mason College (which later became the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
). At age 24, Swale qualified in medicine, and travelled to the University of Heidelberg to study under Albrecht Kossel
Albrecht Kossel
Ludwig Karl Martin Leonhard Albrecht Kossel was a German biochemist and pioneer in the study of genetics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1910 for his work in determining the chemical composition of nucleic acids, the genetic substance of biological cells.Kossel...
. He then returned to Mason College as a demonstrator of physiology.
Career
In 1896, Vincent's first paper, entitled "The Suprarenal Capsules in the Lower Vertebrates," was published in The Proceedings of the Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society. This research earned him a BMA Research Scholarship, presenting the opportunity to work with E.A. Schäfer, the original discoverer of the suprarenal capsules, at University CollegeUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
in London. In 1897, Vincent succeeded Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore (biochemist)
Benjamin Moore B.Eng., M.A., D.Sc., FRS was an early British biochemist. He held the first chair of biochemistry in the UK, and founded the Biochemical Journal, one of the earliest academic journals in the subject....
as Sharpey Scholar, becoming assistant professor to Schäfer, and, in 1899, to Ernest Starling.
In 1900, Vincent was appointed a lecturer at Cardiff, where his students included future cardiologist Thomas Lewis
Thomas Lewis (cardiologist)
Sir Thomas Lewis, CBE, FRS was a British cardiologist. He qualified as a doctor and worked as a physiologist and clinical scientist, carrying out fundamental research on the heart...
, with whom he published two papers on the biochemistry of muscle. Lewis later wrote, "I have always been grateful to Vincent for giving me my first introduction to scientific work." Two years later, he was awarded the Francis Mason Research Scholarship, and rejoined Schäfer, now at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, to study the physiology of the thymus
Thymus
The thymus is a specialized organ of the immune system. The thymus produces and "educates" T-lymphocytes , which are critical cells of the adaptive immune system....
and other ductless gland
Ductless gland
Ductless glands are glands that secrete their product directly onto a surface rather than through a duct. Examples are the goblet cells in the epithelial surface of the digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems...
s.
In 1904, Vincent was appointed the first Professor of Physiology at the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
in Winnipeg, Canada. Here, he oversaw the research of biochemist Alexander Thomas Cameron
Alexander Thomas Cameron
Alexander Thomas Cameron was a British-born Canadian biochemist. He was best known as Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba, and as the author of numerous popular biochemistry textbooks, including Textbook of Biochemistry.-Biography:Alexander Thomas Cameron was born in 1882 in...
, and was influential in fostering Cameron's interest in endocrinology
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of...
. Vincent remained at Manitoba until 1920, when he returned to London to become Professor of Physiology at Middlesex Hospital
Middlesex Hospital
The Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
. He retired from this post in 1930.
Personal life
In 1914, Vincent married Beatrice, daughter of Mr. W. Overton, and had two daughters; all three survived him. Vincent's shyness sometimes gave an impression of brusqueness, but friends knew him as a "staunch friend and a charming companion." Vincent, who practised as a pianistPianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, also had a deep love of music.
Attitudes
Vincent's research on endocrinologyEndocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of...
earned him a strong international reputation in his field. He was known for his "highly critical and sceptical mind," and was described by colleague William Cramer
William Cramer (pathologist)
William Cramer was a German-born British pathologist, best known for his work with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.-Biography:...
as "a man of firm principles and high ideals on which he would not compromise."