Inspirational Quotes by William Benjamin Carpenter (English Biologist)

William Benjamin Carpenter (1813–85) was an English physician, invertebrate zoologist, and physiologist. He was instrumental in the early stages of the unified University of London. He was also the brother of English educationalist and reformer Mary Carpenter.

Born in Exeter, Carpenter studied medicine at the universities of Bristol, London, and Edinburgh. His graduation thesis (1839) on the nervous system of the invertebrates led to his Principles of General and Comparative Physiology (1839.)

In 1844, Carpenter became a professor of physiology at the Royal Institution, London, and professor of forensic medicine at University College (1849.) He took part in a deep-sea exploration expedition (1868–71) and did practical research on marine zoology. His major work lay in neurology, where he investigated the interfaces between neurological organization and consciousness, conceiving the idea of ‘unconscious cerebration.’ His other works are Principles of Human Physiology (1846,) The Microscope and its Revelations (1856,) Principles of Mental Physiology (1874,) and Nature and Man (1888.) Carpenter denounced assertions of paranormal phenomena, psychical research, and spiritualism.

Carpenter was also the Registrar of the University of London (1856–79.) In that capacity, he gave qualified support to Charles Darwin. Still, he had reservations about applying evolution to man’s intellectual and spiritual nature. He also taught (1849–50) at the newly founded Bedford College-London, demonstrating his commitment to women’s education.

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