David Willis Wilson Henderson
Encyclopedia
David Willis Wilson Henderson CB FRS (23 July 1903 – 16 August 1968) was a Scottish-born microbiologist; a former President of the Society for General Microbiology
and recipient of the U.S. Medal of Freedom.
, described by Sir Tam Dalyell
, former Father of the House of Commons, as "a remarkable school" with "a formidable academic reputation." Matriculating at the University of Glasgow
, reading agricultural bacteriology and enrolling at the West of Scotland Agricultural College, Henderson graduated in 1926, subsequently being appointed a lecturer in bacteriology at King’s College, Durham University
, where, in 1930, he was awarded an MSc
degree for his work on anaerobic infection in lambs. In the same year he married his first wife, Beatrice Mary Davenport Abell, daughter of Sir Westcott Abell, K.B.E.
, the celebrated naval architect and surveyor, and Professor of Naval Architecture at Armstrong College
, an affiliated college of the University of Durham.
In 1931, awarded a Carnegie Research Fellowship, Henderson embarked on research at the Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine, London, and was subsequently awarded a Beit Memorial Research Fellowship for the years 1932-35. In 1934 Henderson was to be awarded a PhD
from the University of London
for his thesis, ‘Studies on the spore-bearing anaerobes with experiments on active and passive immunity.’
and the effects of the administering of toxins via aerosols at the Lister Institute’s Serum Department at Elstree, by summer of 1940 Henderson was to find himself seconded to the Ministry of Supply
and working between the Lister Institute and the government’s Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment, at Porton Down
in Wiltshire. In October of 1940, on the instruction of the War Council a team of microbiologists was assembled, including David Henderson, to research use and protection against bacterial agents. Also in 1940, David Henderson was awarded the DSc
degree by the University of London. In 1943 Henderson was one of a team sent across to the United States to advise on protection against biological warfare and for the remainder of the War
was to continue his work on both sides of the Atlantic, for which work he was awarded in 1946 the U.S. Medal of Freedom, Bronze Palm.
. Under Henderson's direction new laboratories at Porton Down
were built between 1948 and 1951 and these and the work done there by Henderson and his team gained an international reputation in microbiology, recognized in the award to Henderson of the CB in 1957 and his election to the Royal Society
in 1959, in which year the Ministry of Supply was dissolved and Henderson’s department was to come within the remit of the War Office
.
David Henderson was a founding member of the Society for General Microbiology
, a member of its committee from 1947-51, and in 1963 was elected its President. He wrote and co-wrote numerous published scientific papers during his career.
Henderson’s first wife died in 1952 and in the following year he married Emily Helen Kelly of New York, a bacteriologist who had been his assistant in the U.S.A. during the War.
David Willis Wilson Henderson died on 16 August 1968.
degree by Durham University
1934 - PhD
by the University of London
1940 - DSc
degree by the University of London
1946 - U.S. Medal of Freedom, Bronze Palm
1957 - Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
1959 - Fellowship of the Royal Society
Society for General Microbiology
The Society for General Microbiology is a learned society based in the United Kingdom but with members in more than 60 countries. With approximately 5000 members, it is the largest microbiological society in Europe...
and recipient of the U.S. Medal of Freedom.
Early life and career
Born in Glasgow on 23 July 1903, David Henderson subsequently attended the Hamilton AcademyHamilton Academy
Hamilton Academy was a school situated in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Described as "one of the finest schools in Scotland" in the Cambridge University Press County Biography of 1910, Hamilton Academy featured in the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association Magazine article series on...
, described by Sir Tam Dalyell
Tam Dalyell
Sir Thomas Dalyell Loch, 11th Baronet , known as Tam Dalyell, is a British Labour Party politician, who was a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons from 1962 to 2005, first for West Lothian and then for Linlithgow.-Early life:...
, former Father of the House of Commons, as "a remarkable school" with "a formidable academic reputation." Matriculating at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, reading agricultural bacteriology and enrolling at the West of Scotland Agricultural College, Henderson graduated in 1926, subsequently being appointed a lecturer in bacteriology at King’s College, Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, where, in 1930, he was awarded an 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...
degree for his work on anaerobic infection in lambs. In the same year he married his first wife, Beatrice Mary Davenport Abell, daughter of Sir Westcott Abell, K.B.E.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, the celebrated naval architect and surveyor, and Professor of Naval Architecture at Armstrong College
Colleges of the University of Durham
This is a list of the colleges within the University of Durham. These colleges are the primary source of accommodation for undergraduates and graduates at the University, also providing bursaries and scholarships to students...
, an affiliated college of the University of Durham.
In 1931, awarded a Carnegie Research Fellowship, Henderson embarked on research at the Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine, London, and was subsequently awarded a Beit Memorial Research Fellowship for the years 1932-35. In 1934 Henderson was to be awarded a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
for his thesis, ‘Studies on the spore-bearing anaerobes with experiments on active and passive immunity.’
The War years
Engaged in research work on immunologyImmunology
Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the...
and the effects of the administering of toxins via aerosols at the Lister Institute’s Serum Department at Elstree, by summer of 1940 Henderson was to find himself seconded to the Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...
and working between the Lister Institute and the government’s Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment, at Porton Down
Porton Down
Porton Down is a United Kingdom government and military science park. It is situated slightly northeast of Porton near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. To the northwest lies the MoD Boscombe Down test range facility which is operated by QinetiQ...
in Wiltshire. In October of 1940, on the instruction of the War Council a team of microbiologists was assembled, including David Henderson, to research use and protection against bacterial agents. Also in 1940, David Henderson was awarded the DSc
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
degree by the University of London. In 1943 Henderson was one of a team sent across to the United States to advise on protection against biological warfare and for the remainder of the War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was to continue his work on both sides of the Atlantic, for which work he was awarded in 1946 the U.S. Medal of Freedom, Bronze Palm.
Later career
In January 1946 Henderson had been appointed Director of the Microbiological Research Department by the Minister of Supply and an advisory panel had been assembled under the chairmanship of Maurice HankeyMaurice Hankey, 1st Baron Hankey
Maurice Pascal Alers Hankey, 1st Baron Hankey, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, PC was a British civil servant who gained prominence as the first Cabinet Secretary and who later made the rare transition from the civil service to ministerial office.-Life and career:The third son of R. A...
. Under Henderson's direction new laboratories at Porton Down
Porton Down
Porton Down is a United Kingdom government and military science park. It is situated slightly northeast of Porton near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. To the northwest lies the MoD Boscombe Down test range facility which is operated by QinetiQ...
were built between 1948 and 1951 and these and the work done there by Henderson and his team gained an international reputation in microbiology, recognized in the award to Henderson of the CB in 1957 and his election to the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1959, in which year the Ministry of Supply was dissolved and Henderson’s department was to come within the remit of the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
.
David Henderson was a founding member of the Society for General Microbiology
Society for General Microbiology
The Society for General Microbiology is a learned society based in the United Kingdom but with members in more than 60 countries. With approximately 5000 members, it is the largest microbiological society in Europe...
, a member of its committee from 1947-51, and in 1963 was elected its President. He wrote and co-wrote numerous published scientific papers during his career.
Henderson’s first wife died in 1952 and in the following year he married Emily Helen Kelly of New York, a bacteriologist who had been his assistant in the U.S.A. during the War.
David Willis Wilson Henderson died on 16 August 1968.
Awards and Honours
1930 - MScMSC
- 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...
degree by Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
1934 - PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
by the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
1940 - DSc
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
degree by the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
1946 - U.S. Medal of Freedom, Bronze Palm
1957 - Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
1959 - Fellowship of the Royal Society