John Farquhar Fulton

John Farquar Fulton

John Farquhar Fulton (November 1, 1899 – May 29, 1960) was an American neurophysiologist and a pioneer in the field of neuroscience. He is best known for his work on the physiology of the cerebral cortex and his contributions to the understanding of brain function.

Early Life and Education

Fulton was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He attended Harvard University, where he earned his B.A. in 1921. He then went on to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving his Ph.D. in 1925. His doctoral research focused on the neurophysiology of the cerebral cortex.

Career

After completing his education, Fulton joined the faculty at Yale University in 1928, where he would spend the majority of his career. He became a full professor in 1931 and was appointed the Sterling Professor of Physiology in 1946. Fulton's research at Yale was instrumental in advancing the understanding of the cerebral cortex and its role in motor control and sensory processing.

Contributions to Neuroscience

Fulton is perhaps best known for his work on the prefrontal cortex and its role in behavior and cognition. His research demonstrated the importance of the prefrontal cortex in executive functions and decision-making. He also conducted pioneering studies on the effects of lesions in different parts of the brain, which helped to map the functions of various cortical regions.

Legacy

Fulton was a prolific writer and published numerous books and articles on neurophysiology. His most famous work, Physiology of the Nervous System, became a standard reference in the field. He was also a founding member of the American Physiological Society and served as its president from 1946 to 1947.

Personal Life

Fulton was married to Lucia Pickering, and they had three children. He was an avid collector of rare books and manuscripts, particularly those related to the history of medicine and science.

Death

John Farquhar Fulton passed away on May 29, 1960, in New Haven, Connecticut.

See Also

• Neurophysiology
• Cerebral cortex
• Prefrontal cortex
• Yale University
• Harvard University
• Oxford University