Charles Turner: The Unsung Black Educator Who Transformed Insect Behavior Research in the 1900s

On a crisp autumn morning in 1908, biologist Charles Henry Turner conducted a groundbreaking experiment in O’Fallon Park, St. Louis, Missouri. Dressed elegantly, he placed a dozen dishes filled with strawberry jam on several picnic tables before retreating to a nearby bench, armed with a notebook and pencil. Following a midmorning break for tea and toast with jam, he resumed his observations, noting the honeybees’ predictable visits to the sugary offerings.

Over the course of several days, Turner altered the timing of the jam distribution, eventually presenting the treats only at dawn. Initially, the bees continued to show up at various times, but soon they adapted their feeding habits to morning-only visits. This experiment illuminated Turner’s realization that bees can perceive time and adjust their behavior accordingly, marking the beginning of his influential research on insect cognition.

Turner, born in Cincinnati in 1867, grew up amidst the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws. The son of a church custodian and an enslaved mother, he faced considerable societal obstacles. Yet, his passion for science blossomed early; he collected and cataloged thousands of insects and excelled academically as valedictorian of his all-Black class at Gaines High School.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and later became the first African American to obtain a doctorate in zoology from the University of Chicago. His dissertation, which studied ant behavior, was notably published in an academic journal, a significant achievement for a Black scientist of his time.

Despite his qualifications, Turner struggled to secure a long-term academic position in higher education. The University of Chicago denied him a faculty role, and funding limitations at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute excluded him from employment there. He eventually spent most of his career teaching at Sumner High School in St. Louis, where he earned a modest salary of $1,080 per year in 1908, equivalent to around $34,300 today.

Turner’s innovative research, often conducted without access to modern facilities, yielded significant findings about insect behavior. He challenged contemporary notions that considered bees and other insects as mere automatons, revealing their abilities to learn and remember. His experiments also demonstrated the importance of visual cues in flower attraction, further deepening our understanding of pollination.

Throughout his career, Turner published 71 papers, establishing himself as a leader in the study of entomology. His contributions were not limited to research; he actively advocated for the education of African Americans, arguing against the narrow focus on vocational training and supporting the need for a comprehensive curriculum in public education.

Turner passed away at the age of 56 from acute myocarditis but left a lasting legacy. His research continues to be cited and recognized for advancing the understanding of insect behavior. Charles Henry Turner’s work remains critical to appreciating the complexities of pollinators and their role in sustaining ecosystems and agriculture. His story highlights the resilience and intellect of a scientist who overcame systemic barriers to make indelible contributions to biology.