Frank Rattray Lillie

American zoologist

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Last Updated: Mar 21, 2024 • Article History

Category: Science & Tech

Born:: June 27, 1870, Toronto, Ont., Can.

Died:: Nov. 5, 1947, Chicago, Ill., U.S. (aged 77)

Subjects Of Study:: fertilization; ovum; sex determination; sex hormone

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Frank Rattray Lillie (born June 27, 1870, Toronto, Ont., Can.—died Nov. 5, 1947, Chicago, Ill., U.S.) was an American zoologist and embryologist, known for his discoveries concerning the fertilization of the egg (ovum) and the role of hormones in sex determination. Lillie spent most of his career at the University of Chicago (1900–47), where he served as professor of embryology (1906–35), chairman of the zoology department (1910–31), and dean of the biological sciences division (1931–35). In his researches, Lillie found that the animal ovum is coated with a gelatinous substance composed of carbohydrate and protein, which he termed fertilizin. Its ...(100 of 257 words)

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