Raymond Corbett Shannon
Encyclopedia
Raymond Corbett Shannon was an American entomologist who specialised in Diptera
and medical entomology
. His studies at Cornell University
were interrupted by World War I
, but he received his B.S. from there in 1923. He was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Entomology from 1912–1916, and again from 1923–1925.
In 1926, he began graduate studies at George Washington University
, and from 1927 on he was employed by the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation
.
He published over 100 articles on the characteristics, environment and behavior of insects and on their aspects as disease vectors. One of his discoveries, in 1930, was of the arrival of Anopheles gambiae
, the mosquito
that carries malaria
, into the New World
.
.
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
and medical entomology
Medical entomology
The discipline of medical entomology, or public health entomology, and also veterinary entomology is focused upon insects and arthropods that impact human health. Veterinary entomology is included in this category, because many animal diseases can "jump species" and become a human health threat,...
. His studies at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
were interrupted by World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, but he received his B.S. from there in 1923. He was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Entomology from 1912–1916, and again from 1923–1925.
In 1926, he began graduate studies at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, and from 1927 on he was employed by the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
.
He published over 100 articles on the characteristics, environment and behavior of insects and on their aspects as disease vectors. One of his discoveries, in 1930, was of the arrival of Anopheles gambiae
Anopheles gambiae
Anopheles gambiae is a complex of at least seven morphologically distinguishable species of mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles. This complex was recognised in the 1960s and includes the most important vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and the most efficient malaria vectors known.This species...
, the mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
that carries malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, into the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
.
Death
On his death at the age of 50, he left his library and insect collection to the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.