Marine Biological Hall Of Distinction: Doctor Ruth Dixon Turner
This article is a part of our collection known as the Marine Hall Of Distinction. It is a different series from our main monthly series & has no connection to the main monthly series. In this special collection, we will discuss marine biologists who we feel have served marine biology & oceanography the most. We do this in order to commemorate these marine biologists & to show gratitude for everything they have contributed to our oceans. This collection has no relation to the main monthly series. This series is published on the 25th of every month, shortly after our article on the oceanic environment of a certain region on the 20th. Today’s marine biologist is Ruth Dixon Turner. Ruth Dixon Turner is a famous American Malacologist & Marine Biologist, renowned for her research on Shipworms, a marine kind of pest. Shipworms are a specific kind of worm, which enjoy burrowing into any wood submerged in seawater, causing severe damage to marine fixtures & boats. Contrary to the name, they are not worms, & are clams with long bodies that extend outside of their shells. Throughout her career, Ruth Dixon Turner dedicated herself to studying these destructive animals, leading her to become the World’s foremost expert on Shipworms. In her several decade-long career, she described at least 2 new species of mollusks. In this article, we are going to discuss the Formative Years & Education of Ruth Dixon Turner, the Career of Ruth Dixon Turner, The Accomplishments, Achievements, Honourables, & Awards Of Ruth Dixon Turner, & finally The Publications Of Ruth Dixon Turner. With that being said, let us delve into the life of one of the world’s leading Marine Scientists.
The Formative Years & Education Of Doctor Ruth Dixon Turner
Ruth Dixon Turner was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on December 7th, 1914. Extremely little is known about her childhood, or education before university. She attended university at Bridgewater State College, located in Massachusetts, & Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1936.
The Career Of Ruth Dixon Turner
Ruth Dixon Turner began her career as a Schoolteacher in Vermont, & Massachusetts. This was until she was offered the position of Assistant Director of Education for the New England Museum Of Natural History, which she gladly accepted. Although she is well known for her marine biological feats, she began her Scientific career in Ornithology, & harbored an interest in Ornithology until her death. As a result of her love, adoration, & respect for birds, she left her position as Assistant Director & was appointed promptly as Assistant Curator of Birds. She soon left his position, moving on to Vassar College as an Instructor in Biology. Alongside her work at Vassar College, she completed her Masters Degree in the Sciences from Cornell University. Her love for Ornithology soon led her to the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, where she volunteered in the Department Of Ornithology. It was here where she met William J. Clench, Assistant Curator of Molluscs at the time. Clench introduced her to Dr. William Clapp, a famous scientist studying marine wood-eating worms. She began establishing an interest in Molluscs, & was introduced to the field of Malacology. She left the Museum in 1944 to work at the William F. Clapp Laboratories in Duxbury, Massachusetts, however, she would return to the museum 2 years later to continue working with Clench. One of her first official research projects was conducted in 1949, in which she made a trip to Cuba to study Marine & Terrestrial Molluscs with Clench. Soon after in 1954, she would receive her P.h.D from Radcliffe College at Harvard University, officially making her a doctor. Her dissertation was on the family Terenidae, more commonly known as shipworms, & is still considered a standard work to this day. From 1956 onwards to 1975 she worked as a lecturer of Biology at Harvard University, conducting research & publishing papers often. In 1976, she officially became a professor of Biology, & the Curator of Molluscs for the Museum of Comparative Zoology where she had spent some of her younger years. In addition to these, she joined the scientific journal “Johnsonia” as a co-editor. She received 2 honorary Doctorate of Science degrees from both the New England College, & Plymouth State College Of The University Of New Hampshire. Her work earned her the respect & ability to appoint meetings for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Gray Museum, Leigh University, The University of New South Wales in Australia, & the University of Puerto Rico. In the same year, For all of her astounding research, she was officially named “Diver of the Year” by the Boston Sea Rovers, a local Educational society for which she was a proud supporter & member. She went on to serve terms as President of the American Malacological Union, & Boston Malacological Club. On August 13th, 1971, Turner became the first woman to dive using the deep sea research vessel ALVIN. This sparked a passion for deep sea science, that would lead to her describing why there was such little wood left on the recently discovered Titanic Wreckage. Turner was one of the pioneers in the study of marine biodeterioration, & developed a close relationship with the Office of Naval Research as a result of it. Along with her research on Mollusc Ecology, she had the opportunity to conduct many research studies in very niche areas of the globe, from Pakistan to South America to The Soviet Union. It is by those who knew her that she treated each new scientist & colleague with a sense of warmth & friendliness, & had an astounding ability to communicate her science to people of all ages & backgrounds. Unfortunately, Doctor Ruth Dixon Turner passed away on the 30th of 2000, in Waltham, Massachusetts. Her love for science, & many publications will remain relevant in marine science for a very long time. Her contributions to marine biology were immense, & have not been forgotten or ignored.
The Accomplishments, Achievements, Honourables, & Awards Of Doctor Ruth Dixon Turner
She has over 100 Scientific Publications.
She has described 2 new species of Shipworms.
She was awarded 2 separate Honorary Doctoral Degrees from Plymouth College at the University of New Hampshire, & New England College.
She was an Honorary Life Member Of the National Shellfisheries Association.
Directories / Credits
Citation No. 1: “Women of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ)”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Harvard Digital Library. Retrieval Date: June 14th, 2024.
Citation No. 2: “Who Was Ruth Turner?”, Written by Bruno Costeleni, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Ernest Mayr Library Blog. Retrieval Date: June 14th, 2024.
Citation No. 3: “In Memoriam: Ruth Dixon Turner, 1914 to 2000”, Written by Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Journal of Shellfish Research. Retrieval Date: June 14th, 2024.
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