Thomson, Charles Wyville (1830–1882)

Scottish zoologist who was director of the scientific staff in the Challenger Expedition 1872–76

He became professor of zoology at Cork, and, from 1870, at Edinburgh. He is chiefly remembered as director of the scientific staff in the Challenger Expedition 1872–76. This appointment he owed to his important studies of biological conditions in the depths of the sea made in two expeditions in HMS Lightning and Porcupine with Dr W B Carpenter in 1868–69. He was knighted 1876. He wrote The Depths of the Sea 1872, The Voyage of the Challenger 1877.

He was born in Bonnyside, West Lothian, and educated at Edinburgh University.