Victor Frank Eastop
Victor Frank Eastop FLS FRESB was a British entomologist. He was born in London, UK. He went to University of Reading but his time as an undergraduate was interrupted by four years in the RAF
Back at Reading, he obtained his first degree in 1950 and then received an Agricultural Research Council grant to work on aphids at University of Cambridge, completing his MSc in 1952 and PhD in 1955.
Much of Eastop’s taxonomic work was based on the accurate measurement of aphid body parts under the microscope, he developed the understanding of how these measurements varied according to the conditions under which the insects developed. Interpreting such variation correctly is vital for correct identification of species.
In 1952, Eastop was awarded a Colonial Office Research Fellowship to study aphids in East Africa, after which he joined the staff of the British Museum as a Senior Scientific Officer. He was also a visiting scientist to New Zealand, Israel, Beijing and had visiting professorships in Brazil, Sweden, and Iran. He served as President of the Royal Entomological Society.
