Richard Benedict Goldschmidt

views updated

Richard Benedict Goldschmidt

1878-1958

A German-born American zoologist and geneticist credited with many years of important research in the field of genetics. He is best known for being a pioneer in population genetics and putting forth ideas that challenged thinking at that time, such as the belief that chromosomes determine inheritance to a greater degree than do individual genes. He worked extensively with the genetics of moths, fruit flies, and worms to show that geographical variations within animal species are caused by genetic factors.

About this article

Richard Benedict Goldschmidt

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article