Chilton, Chas. (Charles), 1860-1929

Charles Chilton was born in Herefordshire, England in 1860. In 1862, his family emigrated to New Zealand, settling in Canterbury. He was educated at Canterbury College, graduating with a BA in 1880 and an MA in 1881. At an early age he suffered from hip trouble, which led to the amputation of his left leg. He worked as a schoolteacher before continuing his studies in zoology at the University of Otago, graduating with a BSc. in 1888 and a DSc. in 1893. In 1895, he moved to Edinburgh to study medicine, graduating with honours in 1898 and working as a house surgeon at the ophthalmic ward of Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary before continuing his studies in Heidelberg, Vienna and London.

Returning to Christchurch in 1901, Chilton practised as an ophthalmic surgeon, and in 1903, was appointed to the chair of biology at Canterbury College, a post he held for twenty-five years. In 1907, on behalf of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, Chilton participated in an expedition to the sub-Antarctic islands, visiting the Snares, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, and Bounty islands. The party carried out a range of scientific studies, mainly in geophysics, geology, zoology and botany. In 1921, he accepted the post of rector of Canterbury College, serving until his retirement in 1928, when he was appointed professor emeritus. In recognition of his worldwide renown, Chilton was made a fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a corresponding or honorary member of several other scientific bodies. His work includes studies of Amphipoda, Isopoda and higher Crustacea, especially from New Zealand and the sub-Antarctic, and from subterranean waters. He died in Christchurch on 25 October 1929.

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