John M. King (1927 - 2016)
John M. King’s peers called him a “legend” or a “pillar of pathology”, but he was so much more. John was beyond larger than life, he was mythic. Born on January 16, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts, his childhood was shaped by hardship. His childhood in an orphanage where his only shoes were a pair of rubber boots, his service in as a U.S. Army paratrooper in Nazi Germany and his life-long love-affair and 70-year marriage to his darling Marie - even without veterinary pathology, it was a magical story.
Even without his contributions to veterinary pathology, his life would have been a magical story. But it was his groundbreaking work in veterinary medicine that made him a legend.
“Necropsy Book” - the best-selling volume ever written for veterinary pathologists - raised money not for his pocket, but for the education of veterinarians around the world. In addition to this seminal work, Dr. King authored several significant publications, including two “Atlases of General Pathology” published in Taiwan,, “Fifty Years at the Necropsy Table” and “Have Knife-Will Travel”.
King’s library was the necropsy floor, and his books were the endless stream of autopsied animals divulging their secrets to his knife or the knives of his students under his watchful eye. The necropsy room wasn’t just his library, though; it was also his theater. He was a master showman, always playing to packed houses. Even at 4 PM on a Friday afternoon, at his “Show and Tell” sessions, the risers were always packed, and it was standing room only. These sessions became legendary, with students, faculty, and guests all eager to learn from his vast expertise.
King’s academic journey began after his service in the Army, using the GI Bill to attend the University of Delaware, later transferring to Oklahoma State University, where he earned his DVM in 1955. His graduate studies at Cornell University led to a PhD in Veterinary Pathology, which he completed in 1963. As a faculty member at Cornell, King became known for his teaching, his meticulous research, and his ability to inspire students from all over the world.
King"s influence on the veterinary community went beyond the classroom, as he traveled to over thirty countries to teach and demonstrate necropsy techniques, sharing his expertise worldwide. Additionally, he collected and preserved over 10,000 veterinary instruments, creating a valuable historical record and reflecting his dedication to preserving the evolution of the field. His displays of these instruments at Cornell and museums further solidified his legacy.
John M. King was not only a distinguished academic and researcher but also an active global contributor to the veterinary community. He received numerous accolades, including the Olafson Medal from Cornell and the John M. King Award from the C.L. Davis Foundation, honoring his lifelong commitment to veterinary pathology. His autobiography reflects both his personal accomplishments and his lasting impact on the advancement of veterinary pathology.
His webpage : Dr. John M. King’s Necropsy Show & Tell is a comprehensive image catalogue of 26,000 pathological images. The user of the catalogue can do a Simple or Advanced search. In addition the user can search in the Keyword section. A Quiz comes with these webpages.