James Rollin Slonaker

Biographical Sketch, by Hany Abdoun, Archives Intern

James Rollin Slonaker was born on June 17, 1866, in Farmland, Indiana. He received his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1893 and his Ph.D. in Acute Vision from Clark University in 1896. His studies focused on the anatomy and physiology of the eyes of vertebrates, the daily activity of the white rat, the influence of food on the growth of the white rat and sex problems in the white rat.

Dr. Slonaker worked as a Teacher at a local rural school in Indiana (1884-1885) and also worked as a School Superintendent in Wisconsin (1889-1891). He was Assistant Professor of Zoology at Indiana University (1896-1901), Research Assistant (1901-1902) and Research Associate (1902-1903) at the Neurological Laboratory of the University of Chicago. He was also Assistant Professor of Physiology (1903-1925), Associate Professor (1925-1930), Professor (1930-1931) and Emeritus Professor (1931-1954) at Stanford University.

Dr. Slonaker was a member of many scientific organizations, including the Physiological Society and the California Academy of Sciences (beginning in 1915, Fellow in 1919).

Dr. James Rollin Slonaker died on January 3, 1954.

Sources Consulted:

American Men and Women of Science, 8th Edition, 1949.

http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/

Index Cards for the California Academy of Sciences Staff and Members.