Alexander John Haddow, 27 December 1912 - 26 December 1978

Abstract

Alexander Haddow belonged to that dying race of ‘medical entomologists,’ some of whom had also been Fellows of the Royal Society. The most illustrious example was Carl Linnaeus (1707-78) whose systematic work on plants and animals including insects was to have the most profound influence on biology; he is not admired for his medical contributions, and he only acquired a medical degree (M.D. Harderwijk) because his prospective father-in-law would not allow him to marry his daughter without this recognition. Another medical entomologist of the past was Martin Lister, F.R.S. (1639-1712), who is remembered more for his studies on the life history of various insects and other invertebrates, than for his activities in the Royal College of Physicians or his appointment as Physician to Queen Anne. The most recent examples of the breed were the late Sir Rickard Christophers, F.R.S., whose major interest was entomology (author of themagnum opus: Aedes aegyptithe late Professor Patrick Buxton, F.R.S., who like Haddow, only took a medical degree to get a broader outlook on the subject, and the still active Sir Vincent Wigglesworth, F.R.S., whose medical interests are minimal. Today the entomologist, whether medical or not, is a professional in his own right and finds a medical qualification unnecessary.