Thomas Hunt Morgan
Historical marker location:Winner of 1933 Nobel Prize was born in Hunt-Morgan house, 1866; grew up here. A nephew of John Hunt Morgan, he attended State College of Ky. (Univ. of Ky.). Taught at Columbia Univ. and there, influenced by Mendel's work, left embryology, his main field, for genetics. Headed up research team studying inbreeding of fruit flies. Observing offspring led to discovery of genes.
(Reverse) Genetic Research - Morgan's research team confirmed Mendel's laws, proved reality of gene as part of chromosome, showed sex determined by chromosomes, demonstrated dominant and recessive traits. At 62, Morgan went to Cal. Institute of Technology, Pasadena, as biology dept. head to research cell differentiation. Died there, 1945. University of Kentucky named new school of biological sciences for him.
Kentucky was the site of many important battles during the American Civil War, including the Battle of Perryville, which was the largest battle fought in the state.