Charles Henry Turner's Research Discoveries on Insect Behavior
by Owen Borville
June 16, 2024
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) made great achievements in the field of insect behavior.
Turner graduated as high school class valedictorian in 1886, and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. He completed his bachelor's in 1891 and his master's in 1892.
He taught at Clark College (Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia from 1893-1905.
After earning a Ph.D from the prestigious University of Chicago in 1907, (the first African-American to do so), Turner sought teaching positions at several colleges and universities.
Turner then accepted a position at Sumner High School in St. Louis as a science teacher and also performed much research and discovered many unique abilities of insects, particularly bees, and spiders. He stayed there until 1922.
After much independent research, Turner challenged the prevailing views in science as he found that insects can modify their behavior and learn as a result of experience.
Turner was the first scientist to discover that insects can hear and alter their behavior based on previous experience. He published over 70 research papers, including some that were published in prestigious journals such as Science.
Turner achieved most of his success in research without the resources of a university position, and he was also burdened by high school teaching duties that provided less time for research.
Spending time after work and in the summer at a local park in St. Louis, Turner was able to work on his research and make his discoveries.
by Owen Borville
June 16, 2024
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) made great achievements in the field of insect behavior.
Turner graduated as high school class valedictorian in 1886, and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. He completed his bachelor's in 1891 and his master's in 1892.
He taught at Clark College (Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia from 1893-1905.
After earning a Ph.D from the prestigious University of Chicago in 1907, (the first African-American to do so), Turner sought teaching positions at several colleges and universities.
Turner then accepted a position at Sumner High School in St. Louis as a science teacher and also performed much research and discovered many unique abilities of insects, particularly bees, and spiders. He stayed there until 1922.
After much independent research, Turner challenged the prevailing views in science as he found that insects can modify their behavior and learn as a result of experience.
Turner was the first scientist to discover that insects can hear and alter their behavior based on previous experience. He published over 70 research papers, including some that were published in prestigious journals such as Science.
Turner achieved most of his success in research without the resources of a university position, and he was also burdened by high school teaching duties that provided less time for research.
Spending time after work and in the summer at a local park in St. Louis, Turner was able to work on his research and make his discoveries.
"C. H. Turner, August 9, 1921"; a gelatin silver print of Charles Henry Turner at Sumner High School, St. Louis, Missouri. 15 x 10 cm. From the W. E. B. Du Bois Papers The Crisis Restored by Adam Cuerden - W. E. B. Du Bois Papers (MS 312). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries |