Horsfall, William R. (1977-2024) | University of Illinois Archives

Name: Horsfall, William R. (1977-2024)

Historical Note:

Dr. William Robert Horsfall (b. 1908, d. 1998) was a professor and researcher of medical entomology at UIUC from 1947 to 1977.

W. R. Horsfall was born in Mountain Grove, MO on January 11, 1908. He achieved a B.S. in biology at the University of Arkansas (1928), an M.S. in agricultural studies at Kansas State University (1929), and his PhD in entomology at Cornell University (1933). After receiving his PhD, Horsfall became a professor and researcher at Cornell, before moving on to teach at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and then later heading the Department of Biology at South Dakota State University-Brookings. In 1943 he joined the US Army’s 17^th Malaria Survey Unit during World War II.

Horsfall was regarded as a master of insect bionomics and is remembered for his work involving mosquitos, insect population control, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. A famous Horsfall quote to his students says, “effective control measures are dictated by the bionomics of the insects.” He published 5 books and more than 140 articles. He served as a professional consultant for many organizations, including the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

During World War II, Horsfall served as the commander of the US Army’s 17^th Malaria Survey Unit in New Guinea (1943-1946). During this time, he developed a method to control mosquito populations using fuel oil as larvicide to stop outbreaks of malaria. He and his unit succeeded in nearly obliterating the disease from their region in New Guinea. After the war ended, he joined the US Army Reserve (1946-1963) with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He began teaching at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 1947.

Joining in 1947 as assistant professor, he was promoted in 1952 to associate professor, and then to full professor in 1957. At UIUC, Horsfall continued to research methods of pest control throughout the “Chemical Age” (1945-1965). During his time at UIUC, Horsfall became a pioneer in the field of mosquito control, which led to him helping organize one of the first mosquito control organizations in Illinois, the Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association. As American pest elimination focused increasingly on the development of toxins through the 1970s, Horsfall lectured students on the value of the natural world, and the problematic impacts of toxins and pollution. For his opposition to toxic synthetics and his reverence for the environment, students and colleagues held Horsfall in high esteem. In the academic year of 1967-1968, Horsfall also acted as visiting Professor of Entomology at Purdue University.

For his work, Horsfall was awarded numerous awards by national and international organizations. Notably, he was one of the first recipients of the AMCA Medal of Honor. For his contributions to the field of zoology, he was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1964. He was also elected to the Slovak Academy of Sciences. His other awards include the Finnish Zoological Society’s Award of Merit, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s Harry Hoogstraal Medal, Kingsbury Graduate Fellowship at Cornell University, the National Research Council Grant, and the University of Illinois’ Wakefield Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Sources:

American Mosquito Control Association, “The 1985 Memorial Lecturer: William R. Horsfall”, Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 1985. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.

Craige, George. George Craige Letter honoring Horsfall 1977. Horsfall collection. 15/8/13. Box 1, folder 3. University of Illinois Archives. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Historic Fellows, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.

“Memorial Lecture Honoree: William Robert Horsfall 1908-1998”, American Mosquito Control Association (1998). Horsfall collection. 15/8/13. Box 1, folder 3. University of Illinois Archives. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

National Institutes of Health, “Malaria Crntrol Hq ASCOiR, APO 35G,” p. 6-8. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.

Novak, Robert J. et al, “Professor William Robert Horsfall 1908-1998”, European Mosquito Control Association. European Mosquito Bulletin 4. 1999. p. 15-16. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.

Olson, Jimmy K. et al. “Malaria problems in Lithuania,” European Mosquito Bulletin (1999) p. 16. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.

Note Author: Evie McAllister