James F. Crow

James F Crow

James Franklin Crow (January 18, 1916 – January 4, 2012) was an American geneticist known for his significant contributions to the field of population genetics. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and made substantial contributions to the understanding of genetic drift, mutation, and selection.

Early Life and Education

James F. Crow was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He earned his undergraduate degree from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and later obtained his Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Texas at Austin under the mentorship of Hermann Joseph Muller.

Academic Career

Crow joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1948, where he remained for the rest of his career. He was a member of the Department of Genetics and served as its chair from 1958 to 1961. Crow was also affiliated with the Laboratory of Genetics at the university.

Contributions to Genetics

Crow's research focused on the theoretical aspects of population genetics. He is well-known for his work on the genetic load and the mutation-selection balance. His collaboration with Motoo Kimura led to the development of the neutral theory of molecular evolution, which posits that most evolutionary changes at the molecular level are the result of genetic drift of mutant alleles that are selectively neutral.

Teaching and Mentorship

Crow was a dedicated teacher and mentor, influencing many students who went on to have successful careers in genetics. He co-authored the textbook "An Introduction to Population Genetics Theory" with Motoo Kimura, which remains a foundational text in the field.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Crow received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also a recipient of the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal from the Genetics Society of America.

Personal Life

James F. Crow was married to Ann Crow, and they had three children. He was known for his love of music and played the viola in the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Legacy

Crow's work has had a lasting impact on the field of genetics, particularly in the areas of population genetics and evolutionary biology. His contributions continue to influence contemporary research and understanding of genetic variation and evolution.

See Also

• Population genetics
• Genetic drift
• Mutation
• Selection
• Neutral theory of molecular evolution
• Motoo Kimura
• Hermann Joseph Muller

External Links

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