Captain Peacock Biography

Home

Background

Sources

Further Information

Contact

Captain Peacock

The Louse Problem

American Red Cross Medical Research Committee into Trench Fever:
Cpt Peacock third from right (credits: TWAS DX250/23/3)

enlarged version

Life events

Born:
Newcastle in 1886. He was 28 years old when the First World War broke out.

Home:
137 Wingrove Gardens, Newcastle

School:
Newcastle Royal Grammar School

Higher Education:
BSc Armstrong College, Newcastle

Pre-War Career:
Teacher in Jarrow
Student demonstrator in Zoology at Armstrong College

Entomologist to the Government of South Nigeria
Lecturer in Zoology at Armstrong College

Wartime Career:
Joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, first as a Corporal, then as a Lance Sergeant. Promoted to Captain in 1916. Sent to France in 1915 to investigate the problem of lice infestation among the troops. His mission was to discover methods of control. Worked on the causes of Trench Fever, a debilitating virus spread by lice.

Post-War Career :
1926: became Professor of Natural History at Dundee

1930s:

Made pioneering radio broadcasts that helped popularise biology. Became President of the zoology section of the British Association of Science

World War II:

Worked on pest control to safeguard food supplies

Died:
1976 aged 89

Activity

Look up the words:
entomology and zoologist in an online dictionary.

Explain how Captain Peacock's pre-war background made him the ideal person to investigate lice control.

Top of page

	Home \| Background \| Sources \| Further Information \| Contact

	Captain Peacock I Louse Problem
	© Tyne and Wear Archive Services