Sheppard, P. M. (Philip MacDonald)

Philip Macdonald Sheppard (1921-1976) was a geneticist whose primary interests included human and population genetics, evolution, medicine, and certain aspects of ecology and ecological genetics. He was especially concerned with polymorphism, mimicry, blood groups and disease, and the genetics of species differences (See Series II, Subject Files under Biographical Information). His important contributions to genetics include: his studies on natural selection in the polymorphic land snail ( Cepaea nemoralis ) in collaboration with A. J. Cain; his joint studies with Cyril Clarke on Rhesus hemolytic disease in newborn babies which led to the development of a preventive treatment; and the genetics and evolution of mimicry in butterflies.

Philip Macdonald Sheppard was born on 27 July 1921 in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England to George Sheppard, a schoolmaster, and Alison Macdonald. He was educated at Marlborough College from 1935 to 1939, served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve from 1940 to 1945, and was a prisoner-of-war from 1942 to 1945. He studied at Worcester College, Oxford University from 1946 to 1948. In 1948, he received a second class honours degree in Zoology, and was subsequently awarded the Christopher Welch Research Scholarship. Under E. B. Ford's guidance, he studied for the D.Phil. and obtained the degree in 1951. His thesis was entitled "Genetic and Evolutionary Problems in wild populations of the Lepidoptera and other forms."

...