Ronald Ross, Physician

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1902

Physician. Mosquitoes’ malarial parasites life-cycle. Mathematical models for epidemiology. Malaria prevention. Contributed to pure, applied mathematics.

'My microscope was worn out, screws rusted with sweat from hands, forehead; remaining eye-piece cracked; invaluable oil-immersion lens remained good.'
'Dingy military hospital, cracked microscope, medicine bottles - only laboratory and apparatus I possessed.'

Hobbies and Interests

Ronald Ross's hobbies were writing, poetry, painting and music. He wrote plays. He was acclaimed for his poetry. This acclaim was independent of his medical research and mathematical work which was also his interest.

Ross's interest was prevention of malaria in many parts of the world including the Suez Canal zone, Greece, Cyprus, West Africa, Mauritius, India and Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. His interest in mathematics helped in epidemiological studies, especially in malaria. He also contributed to pure and applied mathematics.