Charles Scott Sherrington

Prof. Charles Scott Sherrington

Roy Sherrington 1893 01

Sir Charles Sherrington's histology demonstration slides box

Sherrington-stainedglass-gonville-caius

Charles Scott Sherrington (27 November 1857 – 4 March 1952) was an English neurophysiologist, histologist, bacteriologist, and a pathologist, best known for his work on the functions of neurons. He is considered one of the founding figures of neuroscience. Sherrington was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1932, sharing it with Edgar Douglas Adrian for their work on the functions of neurons. His contributions to the understanding of the central nervous system have had a lasting impact on neuroscience and medicine.

Early Life and Education

Charles Scott Sherrington was born in Islington, London, to James Norton Sherrington, a country doctor, and Anne Thurtell. He began his education at Ipswich School and later attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied the natural sciences. Sherrington initially intended to pursue a career in surgery but was drawn to research in the physiological sciences.

Career and Research

After completing his degree, Sherrington conducted research at various institutions, including St Thomas' Hospital, London, and the University of Cambridge. His early work focused on the bacteriology of sepsis, but he soon shifted his focus to the nervous system.

Sherrington's research in neurophysiology was pioneering. He introduced the concept of the synapse as the point of communication between neurons, a term coined by him in 1897. He also developed the Sherrington's Law of reciprocal innervation, which describes how muscles work in pairs to facilitate movement, with one muscle contracting while its counterpart relaxes.

His work on the reflex arc was crucial in understanding how the nervous system controls movement. Sherrington conducted extensive studies on the spinal cord, demonstrating how reflexes are integrated activities within the nervous system, rather than isolated actions. This work laid the foundation for much of modern neuroscience.

Nobel Prize

In 1932, Sherrington was co-awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Edgar Douglas Adrian. Their Nobel lecture, "The Function of Neurons," highlighted their contributions to understanding the physiology of the nervous system, particularly their work on the role of neurons in reflex actions.

Later Life and Legacy

Sherrington continued to work and lecture well into his later years. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1920 to 1925 and was knighted in 1922. In his retirement, he wrote several books, including "Man on his Nature," reflecting his philosophical views on science and humanity.

Sherrington passed away in 1952 at the age of 94. His legacy in neuroscience is profound, with his work on the nervous system laying the groundwork for future research in neurobiology and psychology. He is remembered as a pioneer in neuroscience, whose discoveries about the functioning of the nervous system have had a lasting impact on the field.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Synapse
• Reflex arc