Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923)

Turner obtained his MSc Biology from the University of Cincinnati in 1892.
He gained a PhD Zoology from the University of Chicago in 1907, most likely the first black person at that institution.
He was the first researcher to show that insects can distinguish pitch, and possess memory and problem-solving skills.
Turner published 49 papers on behavioural observations on invertebrates and had novel experimental ideas.
Elected as member of Entomological Society of America in 1907, he was denied a professorship, most likely due to his ethnic origin.
The circling movement of foraging ants upon re-entry to a nest is called Turner spinning (“Tournoiement de Turner”).

Image: © Charles I. Abramson

Author: Anthonia Oluwatuyi

Cookie settings