Frederick Keeble

Sir Frederick William Keeble, CBE, FRS (2 March 1870 – 19 October 1952) was a British biologist, academic, and scientific adviser, who specialised in botany. He was Sherardian Professor of Botany at the University of Oxford from 1920 to 1927 and Fullerian Professor of Physiology at the Royal Institution from 1937 to 1941.

Early life Keeble was born on 2 March 1870 in Westminster, London, England.

He then studied natural sciences at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

In 1902 he joined University College, Reading, first as a lecturer in botany, and from October that year as director of its horticultural department. He was promoted to professor in 1907 and served as Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1907 and 1909.

In 1914, he left Reading to take up the appointment of Director of the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens in Wisley, Surrey. In a letter to the same newspaper, he drew attention to a newly created units of 'patriotic gardeners', formed by the Royal Horticultural Society. These experienced gardeners were to travel the country, advising allotments, schools and other organisations about food production.

In 1919, he was promoted to Assistant Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Later academic career In 1920, Keeble left the civil service and returned to academia. After accepting the chair, he bought a plot of land in Boars Hill near Oxford and built his own home; there was no house within the required distance from the city that was suitable in size for a university professor, with a garden suitable in size for a botanist. He then relinquished his role as director of the research station, and continued his association with ICI as a scientific advisor and member of the company's executive council.

In 1938, he returned once more to academia as Fullerian Professor of Physiology at the Royal Institution. In 1933, he was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers for that year.

On 4 June 1917, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 'for services in connection with the War'. In the 1922 Birthday Honours, he was appointed Knight Bachelor and was therefore granted the use of the title sir. He was knighted by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 8 July 1922.

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