26 Facts About Frederick Keeble

Sir Frederick William Keeble, CBE, FRS was a British biologist, academic, and scientific adviser, who specialised in botany.

Frederick Keeble was Sherardian Professor of Botany at the University of Oxford from 1920 to 1927 and Fullerian Professor of Physiology at the Royal Institution from 1937 to 1941.

Frederick Keeble was the second of six sons born to Francis Henry Keeble and his wife Anna Keeble.

Frederick Keeble's father was the head of a furniture manufacturer in London.

Frederick Keeble was educated at Alleyn's School, an Anglican public school in Dulwich, London, and then Dulwich College, a public school in Dulwich.

Frederick Keeble then studied natural sciences at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Frederick Keeble was awarded first class honours in Part I in 1891, and second class honours in Part II in 1893.

Frederick Keeble graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1893.

Frederick Keeble had been awarded the Frank Smart studentship in botany and, after graduation, went to study the subject in Germany under Wilhelm Pfeffer.

In 1894, Frederick Keeble spent time in Ceylon researching plant physiology.

Frederick Keeble was interested in the hanging foliage of a number of tropical trees; specifically Amherstia, Brownea, and Humboldtia.

Frederick Keeble was promoted to professor in 1907 and served as Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1907 and 1909.

Frederick Keeble had been recommended to the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society by Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, a former Regius Professor of Botany.

Frederick Keeble transferred to the new department as Controller of Horticulture.

Frederick Keeble gave two lectures at the Royal Institution in 1919, concerning intensive cultivation.

In 1920, Frederick Keeble left the civil service and returned to academia.

Frederick Keeble had been elected to the appointment of Sherardian Professor of Botany at the University of Oxford in December 1919.

Frederick Keeble met Sir Alfred Mond when he was a guest to an event held at his Boars Hill home.

Frederick Keeble worked with a team at Jealott's Hill Agricultural Research Station, investigating the effects of fertilisation on both arable land and pasture.

Frederick Keeble then relinquished his role as director of the research station, and continued his association with ICI as a scientific advisor and member of the company's executive council.

Frederick Keeble relinquished the position upon his retirement in 1941.

Frederick Keeble died in his home, a flat on Gloucester Road, London, on 19 October 1952.

Frederick Keeble was elected President of the botany section of the British Association in 1912.

Frederick Keeble was elected President of the agricultural section of the British Association in 1920.

Frederick Keeble was elected a member of the Royal Institution in 1924.

Frederick Keeble was knighted by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 8 July 1922.