Quotes
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“Like Leonardo da Vinci, Sherrington began life as a collector of shells and fossils, even venturing into the field of coins dating from the time of Charles I. He grew to young manhood in a home noted for its collection of fine paintings, books and geological specimens. His teachers at the Ipswich Grammar School included a distinguished classical scholar, H. A. Holden, and a gifted young poet, Thomas Ashe, who imbued the sensitive Charles with a desire to read, and especially to write, beautiful poetry.”
“From 1933 until his death in 1952 Sherrington was dedicated to the philosophy of the central nervous system. He rightly sensed that it was the greatest problem, both scientific and philosophical, confronting man. He was well fitted for this great task with his comprehensive knowledge both of the nervous system and of the whole field of biology. He brought to this task a wonderfully creative imagination, along with literary, artistic and poetic skills. Furthermore he had the great advantage of his historical knowledge from classical times. In particular his devotion to Jean Fernel made him a key figure in the project. We feel that the Rede Lecture and the Gifford Lectures give unique insights into Sherrington himself and his sensitive, subtle and imaginative nature. In our opinion they greatly enhance his stature of one of the creative geniuses of our century.
Previous biographers have overlooked the great ethical messages in the last chapter of Man on his Nature. Sherrington very strongly expressed his conviction that in the evolutionary process predacity had gradually given place to certain values and that these values were necessary to man’s survival – altruism being exalted above all others. His message is both noble and appealing in its urgency.”
