Kenneth George Davey, a long-time York University administrative leader, professor emeritus and world-renowned insect physiologist, passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 93.
Born in Chatham, Ont., Davey developed an early interest in science and pursued it through a BSc and an MSc in zoology at the University of Western, followed by a PhD in insect physiology at Cambridge University. He joined McGill University as a faculty member and later served as director of its Institute of Parasitology from 1964-74, a period that established his national reputation as a researcher in insect physiology and as an administrator.
Davey arrived at York University in 1974 and held several senior academic roles over more than two decades. He served as chair of the Department of Biology from 1974-81 then as dean of the Faculty of Science from 1982-85. In 1986, he became vice-president of academic affairs, a position he held until 1991. After retiring from full-time teaching in 2000, he continued contributing to the University and became a fellow of the Institute of Social Research in 2002. He was also named a York University Distinguished Research Professor.
During his years at York, Davey’s work on insects and other invertebrates made him a world-leading expert. He helped unravel how small hormones shape insect growth and egg development, discovered a new insect hormone and explained how similar hormonal systems work in parasitic worms. His findings advanced both scientific knowledge and policy.
His scholarship included more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and three decades of editorial service at the Canadian Journal of Zoology, the journal affiliated with the Canadian Society of Zoologists. He also served on review panels, committees and editorial boards for national and international scientific organizations.
Davey received wide recognition from leading scientific bodies in Canada and abroad. He was named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an honorary fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. Other honours included the Gold Medal of the Entomological Society of Canada, the Fry Medal of the Canadian Society of Zoologists, the Gold Medal of the Biological Council of Canada and the Wigglesworth Award for Outstanding Services to the Science of Entomology from the Royal Entomological Society, an award named for Professor Vincent Wigglesworth, Davey’s PhD supervisor at Cambridge. He received honorary doctorates from several universities – including York – and the Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilee medals. In 1997, he was appointed to the Order of Canada and was invested as an officer in 1998.