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Emmanuel Ciprian Amoroso was born in Woodbrook, Trinidad on
September 16th 1901. He attended St Mary’s College and
participated in the arts and sports. He left after five years
due to failing eyesight - a problem which persisted throughout
his life. When it slightly improved, he studied on his own and
taught at his alma mater.
He left for Ireland at age 21 to study medicine at the
University College Dublin. He sold newspapers and tutored in
order to defray financial expenses and even became proficient at
boxing. He won all the academic prizes and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science in 1926 and a Bachelor of Medicine and
Surgery in 1929.
Amoroso spent two years in Germany studying at the Albert-Ludwigs
University, Freiburg and Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Cell
Research, Berlin on a Travelling Studentship from the National
University of Ireland. In 1934 he received his doctorate from
the University College, London.
He then joined the Royal Veterinary College as Senior Assistant,
Histology and Embryology. The College focused on horse diseases
but its research underwent unprecedented expansion to domestic
and exotic animals through Amoroso’s work. His research on cell
structure and function improved understanding of organ
development and reproduction. He advanced understanding of the
role of placenta hormones in pregnancy, fetal development and
fetal endocrinology. He also studied nervous and circulatory
systems and investigated the valves of the jugular vein of the
giraffe, camel and ostrich which prevent the rush of blood to
the head as the animal lowers its neck to drink water.
Amoroso was appointed to the College’s Chair of Veterinary
Physiology from 1947 and held the post until retirement in 1968.
He spoke six languages and mastered the art of lecturing. He is
said to have created the finest department of Veterinary
Physiology in England and was conferred the title of Emeritus
Professor.
He received several honorary doctorates and in 1957 became the
only West Indian elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of
England. The British Government conferred upon him the title
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1969). His most
cherished award was however the Trinity Cross from the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago (1976).
Amoroso passed away on October 30th 1982.
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