John Percy Moore

Who was John Percy Moore?

John Percy Moore was an American zoologist specialising in leeches. He was born at Williamsport, Pa. and was educated at the Central High School of Philadelphia and at the University of Pennsylvania B.S., 1892; Ph.D., 1896, where he was instructor in zoology from 1892 to 1907, assistant professor in 1907-09, and thereafter professor. In 1902 he became assistant curator of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. After 1890 he was repeatedly employed by the United States Fish Commission, served as instructor in biology at the Hahnemann Medical College in 1896-98, and was instructor in zoology at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass., after 1901.

In 1939 he became Emeritus Professor. Moore was als a member of the Board of Trustees from 1938 to 1957. In 1957 he was made an Honorary Life Trustee of the Academy.

Moore's primary zoological interest was the study of leeches and their biological control. He conducted field research in India during 1930-1931 to study the life history of Indian land leeches. His association with the United States National Museum began in the early 1900s when he started identifying specimens in the Museum's leech collection.