Thomas Hunt Morgan

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, on September 25, 1866, Thomas Hunt Morgan became one of the most important biologists of the early 20th century. He studied at the University of Kentucky and Johns Hopkins University, and his work ranged across zoology, embryology, and evolution before genetics became his best-known field.

Morgan is most closely associated with experiments on Drosophila fruit flies, especially during his years at Columbia University. By tracking inherited traits across generations, he and his students helped demonstrate that genes are linked to chromosomes, a major step in explaining how heredity works. In 1933, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries on the role of chromosomes in heredity.

Later, he worked at the California Institute of Technology, where he helped build a leading center for biological research. Morgan died in Pasadena, California, on December 4, 1945, but his work continued to shape genetics long after his lifetime.