PROFESSOR CHARLES RUPIZET STOCKARD 1879-1939 I N MEMORIAM On April 7, 1939, during its fifty-fifth meeting, tlie American Association of Anatomists learned with sorrow of tlie passing of Professor Charles Rupert Stockard, a member who had iriadc contributions of great clistinctioii not only to the science of Anatomy but also to biological science in geiieral. He became a member of tlie American Association of Anatomists on January 2, 1908; lie served as its Sccrctai.y-Treasnrer from 1914-1922 aiid as its Presideiit 1925-1930. He was managing editor of The American Journal of Anatomy and coeditor of the American Aiiatomical Memoirs and The Journal of Experimental Zoology. After Professor Stockard’s appointment as I’i.ofessor of Anatomy a t Corncll University Medical College was announced in 1911, tlie late Professor Franklin P. Ah11 wrote, “Dr. Stockard is an expei~iriieiital ailatomist whose broad foundation insures scientific aiiatoniy at Coriiell. He will stimulate a scientifically productive attitude to develop broadly along the several phases of aiiatomical investigation. ” His career in anatomy, whicli more than justifies the entliusiasm with wliicli his appointnieiit was rcceivcd hy leadcrs in tlie field at that time, has been cliai.actei.izccl by stirrmlating leadership, originality and breadth of vision in the appi’oach t o aiid prosecution of his problems, perseverance and indefatigaliility in the face of difficulties, s t r a i ~ l i t f o r ~ v a r d n ein s s dealings with his fellows and ail amazing ability to get done well a great many things. Resolution presented a t t h e Fiftg-sixth Session of the Aiiieric:iii Association of Anatomists, convened a t the University of Louisville School of hfcclicilic, Louisville, Kentucky, March 20-22, 1940. 4 I N MEMORIAM Charles Rupert Stockard was born in Wasliiiigtoii County, JIississippi, on February 27, 1137'9. His enthusiasm along biological lines in his youth is attested by observations on the iiestiiig habits of birds and a collection of eggs which is still intact. He reccivcd the degree of Bachelor of Scieiice in 1899 aiid of Master of Science in 1901 from tlie hlississippi Agric u l t u d and Rlecliaiiical College, where he served as Acting Professor of Rlilitary Science. He lield a similar position in thc .Jefferson Military College f rom 1901-1903. H e eni.olled in the Graduate Scliool of Columbia TJnivcrsity in 1903 to work for his degrec in zoology. Here he came under the influence and direction of Professors T. H. Morgan, the late Bashford Dean, the late E. B. Wilson and others. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree a t Columbia in 1907'. I n tlie preceding e ~ a s an year, he came to the Cornell University Medical C o l l oe Assistant in Embryology and HistologT. Two years later, he was made an Instructor in Comparative Xorpliology ; in 1909, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Embryology and Expeiimcntal Morphology. Furthei. advanceniciit came in 1911 wheii lie was made Professor of Anatomy and Director of the department, a post which lie lield thi*ougliout the remainder of his academic life. He worked in the Calwegie Institution Laboratory at the Dry Tortugas, Florida, in 1908 and several later years and at the Zoological Station in Naples in 1911. He pursued liis investigations in the PIIai.ine Biological Lahoi.ato1.y a t Woods Hole during the summer months. Tlie University of Cincinnati awardcd him the Doctor of Science degree in 1920 and tlie University of Wiirzburg the degree of Doctor of Xedicine iii 1922. The bt*eadth of his interests is 1-eflecteclin his menibcrship iii scientific societies among wliicli may be mentioned the American Association of Anatomists, the Natioiial Academy of Scieiices, Amci-ican Philosophical Society, ilmcricaii Society of Katui*alists, American Society of Zoologists, Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Harvey Society and the Americaii Sssociation for Cancer Research. H e w a s a fellow of the American Association for the Advanceniciit of Science, CHARLES RUPERT STOCHARD 5 the New York Zoological Society, and the New Pork Academy of Medicine. I n addition to the offices he held in the American Association of Anatomists, he served as Secretary of the American Society of Naturalists (1909-1911) and as President of the American Society of Zoologists (1925). He was a trustee of the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, the Long Island Biological Association, and the Bermuda Biological Station, and he served as a member of the Advisory Board of The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology. I n 1925 he became a member of the Board of Scientific Directors of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research and in 1935 was elected President of the Board, a position which had been held by two distinguished predecessors, the late Doctors William H. Welch and Theobald Smith. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Nu Sigma Nu and Alpha Omega Alpha. In his research, Professor Stockard might be characterized as a “trail-blazer” or a pioneer in that his work opened new fields. His experiments were conceived and carried out in such a manner that they would throw light on broad biological problems. His bibliography of over 150 titles covers work in the fields of cytology, genetics, embryology, hematology, endocrinology, growth, medicine and education. Broadly speaking, his major contributions might be grouped under four main headings : regeneration and the artificial production of structural anomalies in lower forms; influence of alcohol on invertebrate and embryonic mammalian development and racial degenerative changes ; the histological changes, particularly in the vaginal smear, which accompany the oestrous cycle (with Dr. G. N. Papanicolaou); and the role of endocrines and heredity in the determination of constitution. The last of these was carried out on different breeds of dogs and, for a period of 1 2 years, he accumulated data on animals of different constitutional types which were raised on a farm in Westchester County, New York. This undertaking was supported with the aid of the Rockefeller Foundation. It is regrettable that his passing has prevented the consummation of this monumental work in this hitherto unexplored field. His final manuscript 6 I N MEMOltIhM will be published in the form in which he left it under the title, “The Genetic and Endocrinic Basis for Differences in Form and Behavior.” H e wrote several chapters for textbooks and special volumes. I n addition to contributing to the fundamental knowledge of biolo,gy, Stockard’s research has stimulated, and served as a basis for, additional work by others as is illustrated particularly well by the studies on the oestrous cycle. He was selected to give many special lectures, among which the following may be enumerated : Harvey Lecture, 1921; De Lamar Lectures, Johns Hopkins, 1925 ; Harririgton Lectures, University of Buffalo, 1926 ; Beaumont Foundation, Detroit, 1927 ; Lane Lectures, Stanford University, 1930 ; Potter Memorial Lecture, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1934 ; and the Joseph Collins Lectures at the Academy of Medicine, New York, 1937. The Lane Lectures were expanded into a volume, “The Physical Basis of Personality” (New York, W. W. Norton, ’31) which was translated into German as “Die Korperliche Grundlage der Personlichkeit,” (Jena, G. Fischer, ’32). Doctor Stockard joined the faculty of the Cornell University Medical College just 8 years after it was established and participated with a small group of his contemporaries in the development of its standards and educational ideals. His devotion to fundamental research, his broad and conservative outlook, and his vigorous personality contributed greatly to making this institution what it is today. As a teacher with his clarity of presentation, his breadth of knowledge, interest in human nature, his wit and engaging personality, and enthusiasm for stimulating thought, he influenced the many students who passed through his classes. His consideration for the independence of, and interest in, the development of his colleagues and graduate students instilled the deepest loyalty and cooperation. H e believed that a laboratory should be “invaded by that shy and intangible spirit which inspires enthusiasm and creates devotion to research,” “ a free dwelling for students of nature conscious of and charitable to the faults and virtues of those that surround them’’ (quoted from his lecture CHARLES RUPERT STOCKAED 7 “ T h e Spirit of the Laboratory” given at the dedication of the Theobald Smith Laboratory a t the Albany Medical College in 1937). I n 1912, Professor Stockard married Miss Mercedes Muller of Munich, Germany, and she and two children, Marie Louise and Richard Robert survive him. He was intensely devoted to his family and they in turn entered into the spirit of his career in a cooperative and helpful manner. Those who visited them either in their home in New York City, at tlie Experimental F a r m in Westchester, or a t their summer home in Woods Hole could not help but be impressed by their happiness and devotion to one another. To the many who knew him, Stockard will be remembered not only as a scientist of the first rank but also as a friendsteadfast and true. His tastes were simple, his motives sincere. He was outspoken, constructive and fearless in his criticisms. His multifarious interests and his free and engaging conversation made him a most pleasant companion. He tapped the resources of liis acquaiiitarices in many fields by his thoughtprovoking discussion and resynthesized such information in a unique manner which made his counsel exceedingly helpful and sought after. Science lias lost a leader and scientists a valued and esteemed colleague. JOSEPH C. HINSEY, Chairmaiz JosS F. NONIDEZ L E W I S H. WEED
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