Quayle, H. J. (Henry Josef), 1876-

Biography

Henry J. Quayle was born on the Isla of Man, England on April 29, 1876. As a child he moved with his family to the United States and settled in Champaign, Illinois. Quayle's early education was through the Illinois public school system and he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1903, with a degree in Entomology. After graduation, Quayle spent a year at the University of California as an assistant in the Entomology Department. The next two years were spent collaborating with the Federal Horticultural Board study on the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Henry J. Quayle spent a year at Iowa State University teaching Zoology before returning to the University of California as an Assistant Professor of Entomology. Within that time, Quayle earned his Master of Science degree from the University of California. From 1912-1915, Quayle served as Professor and Chairman of the University of California Division of Entomology at the Citrus Experiment Station in Riverside, California. In 1923, Quayle introduced the use of cyanide fumigation methods for agricultural pest control in Australia and Spain. Quayle spent much of 1929-1930 working with the United States Department of Agriculture furthering his studies of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Henry J. Quayle was viewed as a pioneer in the field of Entomology, working with multiple agricultural and horticultural agencies within the state and federal government as well as academia. Quayle's expertise in this area contributed to the development of pesticides and the use of insects to combat the detrimental effects of other insects on agriculture. Quayle capped his career by publishing the book Insects of Citrus and Other Subtropical Fruits in 1938 that quickly became an essential text used by citrus growers worldwide. Henry J. Quayle died in Riverside, California on October 24, 1951 after a long and distinguished career in Entomology and agricultural research.

From the guide to the Henry J. Quayle papers, 1903-1951, undated, 1908-1913, (Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.)