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William Charles Osman Hill

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William Charles Osman Hill
Born(1901-07-13)13 July 1901
Died25 January 1975(1975-01-25) (aged 73)
Nationality United Kingdom
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
Known forPrimates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy
Spouse
Yvonne Stranger
​
​
(m. 1947⁠–⁠1975)​
Scientific career
Fieldsprimatology, anatomy, anthropology
InstitutionsUniversity of Birmingham,
Ceylon Medical College,
University of Edinburgh,
Zoological Society of London,
Yerkes National Primate Research Center,
University of Turin
Author abbrev. (zoology)Osman Hill, Hill

William Charles Osman Hill (13 July 1901 – 25 January 1975) was a British anatomist, primatologist, and a leading authority on primate anatomy during the 20th century. He is best known for his nearly completed eight-volume series, Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy, which covered all living and extinct primates known at the time in full detail and contained illustrations created by his wife, Yvonne. Schooled at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham and University of Birmingham, he went on to publish 248 works and accumulated a vast collection of primate specimens that are now stored at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Early life and education

William Charles Osman Hill was born on 13 July 1901.[1] He was educated first at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham,[1][2] and later obtained his degrees from the University of Birmingham.[1] During medical school, also at the University of Birmingham, he won several prizes including the Ingleby Scholarship in Midwifery.[1] He obtained his primary medical degrees in 1924,[1][2] and the same year took on the role of lecturer in zoology.[1] Osman Hill earned his M.D. with honors in 1925.[1][2] He also earned his Ch. B and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (F.R.C.S.) while in medical school.[3]

Career

Upon graduation, Osman Hill continued his role as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham under an apprenticeship until 1930, but teaching anatomy instead of zoology. In 1930, his career took shape when he moved to Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, to become both Chair of Anatomy and Professor of Anatomy at the Ceylon Medical College (more recently named Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo or Colombo Medical School).[1][2] His position allowed him to pursue anthropological studies of the indigenous Veddah people and comparative anatomy of primates. During this time, he began developing a private menagerie of exotic and native species. Consisting mostly of a variety of primates and parrots,[1][4] the collection reported included several types of cockatoo (family Cacatuidae), Red-fan Parrots (Deroptyus accipitrinus), Eclectus Parrots (Eclectus roratus), star tortoises (genus Geochelone), leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis), Galápagos tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra), and Ruddy Mongooses (Herpestes smithii).[4] Osman Hill held this position in Ceylon for 14 years, returning to the U.K. after being appointed as Reader in Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh in 1945.[1][2] Upon his departure from Ceylon, his menagerie was divided between the London Zoo and the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka.[4] Five years later, he became Prosector for the Zoological Society of London and remained there for twelve years.[1][2] After also acting as a visiting scholar at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1957 and 1958,[1] he left the Zoological Society of London in 1962 to serve as the Assistant Director of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC) in Atlanta.[1][2]

The Royal Society of Edinburgh honored him as a fellow in 1955 and for his contributions to science awarded him both its Gold Medal and the Macdougal-Brisbane Prize. Upon his retiring from YNPRC, the Royal College of Surgeons of England made him a Hunterian Trustee. Following retirement, Osman Hill divided his time between his home at Folkestone and his continued work at the University of Turin. His relentless work in anatomy ended only during the final stages of his terminal illness, after he had suffered three years of increased illness as well as diabetes.[1]

Publications

During his career, Osman Hill wrote 248 publications, all academic journal articles or chapters in books based primarily upon his own observations.[1][2] His first paper, which discussed the comparative anatomy of the pancreas, was published in 1926. In all, his works, which continued being published until the year of his death, focused on the anatomy and behavior of humans, primates, and other mammals.[1]

Osman Hill is best known for writing Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy, an eight-volume series that aimed to include all living and extinct primates. Published by Edinburgh University between 1953 and 1974, the series was the culmination of 50 years of his scientific research and thought. Each volume, starting with the strepsirrhines, covered its subjects exhaustively, including native and scientific nomenclature, anatomical structure, genetics, behavior and paleontology.[1] The books were illustrated with both photographs and drawings, most of which were made by his wife, Yvonne. The series was known for its breadth and depth, however it was never completed. Projected as a nine-volume set, Osman Hill died in 1975, leaving his magnum opus unfinished.[1][2] With five sections of the final volume written, including material on the taxonomy and most of the anatomy of langurs, it was hoped that his widow would be able to follow through with plans to prepare and publish them.[1][5]

Cryptozoology studies

In 1945, Osman Hill published an article entitled "Nittaewo—An unsolved problem of Ceylon", in which he speculated that a traditional Vedda story on Sri Lanka about savage dwarf-like humanoids, called Nittaewo, might have referred to an isolated species of Homo erectus, then referred to as Java Man or Pithecanthropus.[6][7] He went further to suggest that Homo erectus may also fit the description of the elusive and more well-known cryptid called Orang Pendek from Sumatra.[8][9][7] He supported his now-defunct hypothesis by pointing out several shared similarities between the two islands, including comparable wildlife.[8]

In the 1950s, he studied photographs of a relic from the Pangboche monastery in Nepal called the Pangboche Hand, which was claimed to be the hand of a Yeti, and decided that it belonged to an unknown anthropoid. However, after the a few bones from the relic were smuggled out of Nepal and brought to him for examination, he concluded that the bones had belonged to a human.[10] He reportedly changed his mind later and declared the bones belonged to a Neanderthal.[7] In 1961, Osman Hill published an article entitled "Abominable snowmen: The present position".[11] After examining the evidence available at the time, he and other researchers decided that although the Yeti might still exist, the evidence was not conclusive.[10] In time, he lost interest in the matter due to a lack of new evidence.[12]

Based on his studies of the results of a March 1960 expedition, Osman Hill concluded that "Ufiti", or Bili Ape, was a remarkable chimpanzee. Citing older reports of chimpanzees from the dense forests of Malawi, he suggested that the Bili Ape represented an undiscovered subspecies of chimpanzee, more similar to the Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), despite being located nearer the Eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).[7]

Legacy

The loss of a friend is always saddening, but when this friend was also a teacher of science and life our appreciation, for the knowledge with which we were enriched by him, enhances our sorrow beyond words.

— B. Chiarelli, Obituary in Journal of Human Evolution[5]

Osman Hill is remembered as a "distinguished anatomist", "eminent primatologist", and the foremost authority on primate anatomy of his time.[1][2] He is also remembered for his work as a "painstaking investigator",[1] physician, and anthropologist.[13] In his honor, two species have been named after him: Osman Hill's mangabey (Lophocebus osmani) and the Colombo wolf snake (Lycodon osmanhilli). The Primate Society of Great Britain named their Osman Hill Medal award after him.[13][14] The award is given every two years for distinguished contributions to primatology.[15]

He is responsible for describing one subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), the southern black-and-white ruffed lemur (V. v. editorum)[16] in 1952; one subspecies of toque macaque (Macaca sinica), the highland toque macaque (M. s. opisthomelas) in 1942;[17][18] one subspecies of red slender loris (Loris tardigradus), the Horton Plains slender loris (L. t. nycticeboides) in 1942;[19][20] and two subspecies of gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus), the highland slender loris (L. l. grandis) in 1932[21][22] and the dry zone slender loris (L. l. nordicus) in 1933.[23][24]

His extensive collection of biological primate specimens, which included tissues and skeletons, is preserved at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.[1][13][14]

Personal life

Osman Hill married his wife, Yvonne, in 1947. Yvonne, the daughter of Harold Stranger K.C., M.P., was not only his devoted wife, but also a collaborator and illustrator of his works.[1]

Osman Hill was described in a memorial published in the International Journal of Primatology (1981) as being "short and rotund, with twinkling blue eyes, a quiet manner, and a strong sense of humor." He was particularly remembered for his eagerness to help young researchers.[2] In another memorial, published in the Journal of Anatomy in 1975, he was described as friendly and tolerant, as well as "a merry man, vigorous, of humane culture, having the humour and good sense natural to those bred in the Provinces: a good Englishman." He was known to value simple citizenship and academics, and held small regard for people who "aspired to monarchy."[1]

His casual interests included drugstore ice cream, good eating, old buildings, and gardening with his wife.[1]

Selected publications

The following is a list of selected publications written by Osman Hill between 1926 and 1974.[25]

  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1953). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy I—Strepsirhini. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3. Edinburgh University Press. OCLC 500576914.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1955). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy II—Haplorhini: Tarsioidea. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3. Edinburgh University Press. OCLC 500576923.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1957). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy III—Pithecoidea Platyrrhini. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3c. OCLC 500576928.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1960). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy IV—Cebidae, Part A. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3d. OCLC 500576933.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1962). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy IV—Cebidae, Part B. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3e. OCLC 500576939.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1966). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy VI—Catarrhini Cercopithecoidea: Cercopithecinae. Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3f. OCLC 500576943.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1974). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy VII—Cynopithecinae (Cercocebus, Macaca, Cynopithecus). Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3g. OCLC 613648477.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1970). Primates Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy VIII—Cynopithecinae (Papio, Mandrillus, Theropithecus). Edinburgh Univ Pubs Science & Maths, No 3h. OCLC 500576950.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor: 1375092, please use {{cite journal}} with |jstor= 1375092 instead.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1972). Evolutionary Biology of Primates. Academic Press Inc. p. 233. ISBN 978-0125287500.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1016/0047-2484(72)90041-3, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1016/0047-2484(72)90041-3 instead.
  • Osman Hill, W. C.; Davies, D. V. (1956). "The heart and great vessels in the Strepsirhini". Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 63 (1): 115–127.
  • Osman Hill, W. C. (1959). "The Anatomy of Callimico goeldii (Thomas): A Primitive American Primate". Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New Series. 49 (5): 1–116.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 1104549, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 1104549 instead.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1007/BF02693443, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1007/BF02693443 instead.
  3. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.1975.tb00230.x, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1111/j.1095-8312.1975.tb00230.x instead.
  4. ^ a b c Walker, Sally (2000). "Zoological Gardens of Asia". In Kisling, Vernon N. (ed.). Zoo and Aquarium History: Ancient Animal Collections To Zoological Gardens. CRC Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0849321009.
  5. ^ a b Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1016/0047-2484(75)90065-2, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1016/0047-2484(75)90065-2 instead.
  6. ^ Osman Hill, William Charles (1945). "Nittaewo—An unsolved problem of Ceylon". Loris (Columbo). 4: 251–262. {{cite journal}}: External link in |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d Coleman, Loren (1999). Cryptozoology A To Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature. Fireside. ISBN 978-0684856025.
  8. ^ a b Boyle, Richard (2010). "Dagger-clawed little people". Himāl Southasian. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ Forth first = Gregory (2008). Images of the Wildman in Southeast Asia: An Anthropological Perspective. Routledge. p. 151. ISBN 978-0710313546. {{cite book}}: Missing pipe in: |last= (help)
  10. ^ a b Buhs, Joshua Blu (2009). Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend. University Of Chicago Press. pp. 49–50. ISBN 978-0226079790.
  11. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1017/S0030605300001253, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1017/S0030605300001253 instead.
  12. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1016/j.endeavour.2008.04.005, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1016/j.endeavour.2008.04.005 instead.
  13. ^ a b c Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 301–302. ISBN 978-0801893049.
  14. ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0801893049.
  15. ^ "PSGB Awards". Primate Society of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  16. ^ Template:IUCN
  17. ^ Osman Hill, William Charles (1942). "The highland macaque of Ceylon". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 43: 402–406.
  18. ^ Template:IUCN
  19. ^ Osman Hill, William Charles (1942). "The slender loris of the Horton Plains, Ceylon, Loris tardigradus nycticeboides subsp. nov". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 43: 73–78.
  20. ^ Template:IUCN
  21. ^ Osman Hill, William Charles; Phillips, W. W. A. (1932). "A new race of slender loris from the highlands of Ceylon". Ceylon Journal of Science (Spolia Zeylanica). XVII (2): 109–122.
  22. ^ Template:IUCN
  23. ^ Osman Hill, William Charles (1933). "A monograph on the genus Loris with an account of the external, cranial and dental characters of the genus; a revision of the known forms; and the description of a new form from Northern Ceylon". Ceylon Journal of Science (Spolia Zeylanica). 18 (1): 89–132.
  24. ^ Template:IUCN
  25. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1007/BF02693444, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1007/BF02693444 instead.

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