Archive of past Queensland Entomologists
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Joseph Bancroft (1836-1894)
Born Manchester, England. Studied medicine at Manchester and St Andrews, graduating with awards. Early interest in geology and natural history. Migrated to Brisbane in 1865 settling on a small farm on Enoggera Creek he named “Kelvin Grove”. Practised medicine and carried out experiments on disease, crops and plant pharmacology. In 1866 and 1884 published on ticks and tick blindness and paralysis; in 1869 on coccoids. In 1886 discovered the adult human parasite, Wucheraria bancrofti, agent of elephantiasis, named in his honour. Experimented unsuccessfully with the mosquito, Aedes vigilax, as its possible vector. In 1877 reported on insect pests of newly established sugar plantations. A prominent scientific leader in early Brisbane and served on many government committees including the first Board of the Queensland Museum. Father of Thomas Bancroft and grandfather of Josephine Mackerras (née Bancroft).
Biography: Pearn, J. & Powell, L. (eds) 1991. The Bancroft Tradition. Amphion Press, University of Qld, Brisbane, 268 pp.