Middleton, Gordon K. (Gordon Kennedy), 1895-1986

Dr. Gordon Kennedy Middleton, Sr., was born on October 28, 1895 and died in January 1986. He received his B.S. in agriculture from N. C. State College (now N.C. State University) in 1917; his M.S. in 1920 and his Ph.D. in 1930, both from Cornell University. Dr. Middleton served as an agronomist at N.C State University from 1928-1966.

Dr. Gordon Kennedy Middleton, Sr., was born on October 28, 1895 and died in January 1986. He received his B.S. in agriculture from N. C. State College (now N.C. State University) in 1917; his M.S. in 1920 and his Ph.D. in 1930, both from Cornell University. Dr. Middleton served as an agronomist at N.C State University from 1928-1966.

As an agronomist he began as an extension Specialist in Seed Improvement at N.C. State University from 1929-1935; Director of the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association from 1939-1945; Plant Breeder for the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station in charge of corn breeding 1936-1940, in charge of peanut breeding 1936-1944 then headed up the small grain breeding program from 1936-1961. He taught as a professor of Field Crops at N.C. State University from 1928-1966. Dr. Middleton was head of the Field Crops Section of the Department of Agronomy at N.C. State University from 1939-1948. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science from N.C. State in 1972. He was also one of the founders of the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association.

While in Thailand in 1955-1956 he researched rice breeding under a Point Four program sponsored by the International Corporation Administration.

In 1920 he married Celia Herring. They had two sons, David L. Middleton and Dr. Gordon Middleton Jr. and three daughters, Beverette Middleton (Price), Mary Sue Middleton (Willis), and Celia Middleton (Nissen). Dr. Middleton authored and co-authored many technical articles and experiment station bulletins.