John Thomas Patterson (geneticist)

John Thomas Patterson (1878 – 1960) was an American zoologist and geneticist, best known for his extensive research on the genetics and evolution of Drosophila.

Born in Union, Iowa, Patterson received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1908. He spent the majority of his career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he established a prominent genetics research program. He served as the director of the Zoology Department and later as director of the Genetics Foundation at the University of Texas.

Patterson's research focused on the mechanisms of chromosome evolution, particularly chromosomal rearrangements in Drosophila. He made significant contributions to the understanding of speciation and the role of chromosomal changes in the origin of new species. He and his colleagues collected and analyzed hundreds of Drosophila species, many from the southwestern United States and Mexico, meticulously documenting their chromosomal structures and evolutionary relationships.

Patterson authored numerous publications, including the influential books "Evolution" (1932) and "Genetics and Human Affairs" (1954). He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and served as president of the American Society of Naturalists. His work significantly advanced the field of genetics and provided valuable insights into the processes of evolution.