White grew up in Tuscany, Italy, where he was home-schooled,[3] before beginning undergraduate studies at University College London from 1927.
He later held the posts of Reader in Zoology at UCL, Professor of Zoology at the University of Texas, Professor of Zoology (1958–1964) and Professor of Genetics (1964–1975) at the University of Melbourne, Australia, before ending his academic career at the Australian National University.
White, M.J.D. (1973) [1937]. The chromosomes (6th ed.). Methuen, London.
White, M.J.D. (1973) [1945]. Animal cytology and evolution (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
White, M.J.D. (1978). Modes of speciation. Freeman.
White M.J.D. and Webb G.C. Blattodea, Mantodea, Isoptera, Grylloblattodea, Phasmatodea, Dermaptera, and Embioptera. Borntraeger. ISBN3-443-26005-5 (3-443-26005-5)
White M.J.D. (ed). Genetic mechanisms of speciation in insects. Symposia at the XIVth International Congress of Entomology, Canberra, Australia, 22–30 August 1972. Australian Academy of Science, Australian Entomological Society. Reidel. ISBN90-277-0477-5 (90-277-0477-5)