The anatomy of the human eye: as illustrated by enlarged stereoscopic photographs

Historical Significance: Arthur Thomson (1858 - 1935) MA MB FRCS Professor of human anatomy University of Oxford. was a British anatomist and anthropologist. He is best remembered for his formulation of Thomson's Nose Rule, which states that ethnic groups originating in cold, arid climates tend to have longer and thinner noses, while the noses of those from warm, humid climates tend to be shorter and thicker. The longer nose is an adaptation that heats and moistens inhaled air in higher latitudes. Thomson was educated at Edinburgh University. In 1885 he was hired by Henry Acland to lecture on anatomy at the University of Oxford. Acland was determined to create a medical school at Oxford, but after he fell ill, Thomson had to bear much of the administrative burden. This would eventually prevent him from reaching his potential as a scholar. Once the diploma for anthropology was formed in 1905, Thomson would be one of three professors who would make up the Oxford anthropology department until he retired in 1933. From 1919 until his retirement, he was Dr Lee's Professor of Anatomy at Oxford (the first to hold that title) and also held a fellowship at Christ Church, Oxford. Picture is of University of Oxford Anthropology Diploma class of 1910-11. Thomson is front and center.