Charles Henry Turner was born on February 3, 1867. A pioneering African American entomologist, he made significant contributions to the field of animal behavior.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in biology. He went on to become one of the first African Americans to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1907. Turner conducted groundbreaking research on the behavior of insects, particularly bees and ants, and was the first to prove that insects could hear and distinguish different sounds.

Despite the racial barriers of his time, Turner published more than 70 scientific papers and made numerous discoveries that challenged the prevailing assumptions about the intelligence of insects. His work laid the foundation for modern studies in animal behavior and has been recognized as groundbreaking in the field of entomology.

In recognition of his contributions, Turner was posthumously inducted into the Animal Behavior Society’s Hall of Fame. Charles Henry Turner passed away on February 14, 1923.