John Ebling

Francis John Govier Ebling (21 June 1918 – 29 May 1992), generally known as John Ebling, was Professor of Zoology at the University of Sheffield from 1968 to 1983, and subsequently Emeritus Professor of Dermatology 1983-1992. He is best known as a researcher in marine biology who helped to establish Lough Hyne as a field station,[1][2] and is one of the lead characters in Reflections on a Summer Sea,[3] a history of this facility. He had a second research interest on sebaceous gland function and skin. This dominated in later life, and he was editor of the 3rd to 5th editions of the Textbook of Dermatology.[4] He also authored and edited a number of other books on biology and endocrinology including The Glands Inside Us and Population Control by Social Behaviour.[5]

Early life

John Ebling was educated at the Colston's School in Bristol, and completed undergraduate studies at the University of Bristol.[6]

Career

John Ebling graduated in Zoology in 1940 at the University of Bristol, where his interest in marine biology was stimulated by Sir Maurice Yonge. Whilst studying for a PhD also at Bristol, his interest in Endocrinology was stimulated by Dr Max Reiss at the Burden Neurological Institute.[6] His first academic appointment was at the University of Hull in 1948, but he moved to the University of Sheffield soon after to join a rapidly expanding group of comparative endocrinologists led by Ian Chester-Jones. He was a founding member of the Institute of Biology (later to become the Society of Biology) and of the Society for Endocrinology, and served as the treasurer (1961-1966). In 1968 he was appointed to a personal chair in the Department of Zoology which he held until 1982. On retirement he was appointed as an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Dermatology.[7]

Personal life

John Ebling married Erika Graetzer (born 17 May 1925) on 5 September 1948 at St Mary Redcliffe Bristol. He had a daughter (Nicola, born 23 May 1955) and a son (Francis John Peter, born 7 November 1959). His son also entered academia and was appointed Professor of Neuroendocrinology at the University of Nottingham in 2007,[8] and served as chair of the British Society for Neuroendocrinology 2006-2010.

References

  1. ^ Kearney, Terri (2011). Lough Hyne: the Marine Researchers - in Pictures. Skibbereen Heritage Centre. ISBN 9780956886309.
  2. ^ Kearney, Terri (2013). Lough Hyne -from Prehistory to the Present. Macalla Publishing. ISBN 9780992624200.
  3. ^ Norton, Trevor (2002). Reflections on a Summer Sea. Random House. ISBN 9780099416166.
  4. ^ Rook, Arthur (1975). Textbook of Dermatology. Blackwell Scientific. ISBN 9780632082407.
  5. ^ Population Control by Social Behaviour. Institute of Biology. 1978. ISBN 0900490101.
  6. ^ a b The Independent, Obituary, Monday 8 June 1992.
  7. ^ Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1993, vol 101, 2S-3S doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12361743. doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12361743.
  8. ^ "Fran Ebling - The University of Nottingham".