Nobel Prize Recipient. An organic chemist, he was honored with the 1975 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for elucidating the stereochemistry of enzyme catalyzed reactions, specifically those that take place in the synthesis of cholesterol, thus paving the way for modern lipid-lowering medications. Raised in Sydney, Australia, he was a bright student and in his youth a nationally ranked chess player, but while still a young boy began losing his hearing and was deaf by the time he entered the University of Sydney at 16. Cornforth graduated with top honors in 1937 and in 1939 was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University in England, from whence he earned his doctorate in 1941. During World War II he performed research into the manufacture of penicillin, in the process helping to make the then new 'wonder drug' more readily available to sick and injured troops, his efforts detailed in his 1949 book "The Chemistry of Penicillin". From 1946 thru 1962 he served with the National Institute for Medical Research. While holding concurrent appointments at the Universities of Warwick and Sussex, he directed the Milstead Laboratory of Chemical Enzymology from 1962 thru 1975, his research led to methods of blocking the formation of the cholesterol molecule. For his discoveries, he shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Vladimir Prelog, whose studies followed similar lines. In addition to the Nobel, his honors were many and included the Davy Medal in 1968, designation as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1972, Knighthood in 1977, the Copley Medal in 1982, and in 1991 appointment as Companion of the order of Australia (AC). He lived out his days in Sussex, remaining active and mentally sharp until his death from the effects of advanced age.
Nobel Prize Recipient. An organic chemist, he was honored with the 1975 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for elucidating the stereochemistry of enzyme catalyzed reactions, specifically those that take place in the synthesis of cholesterol, thus paving the way for modern lipid-lowering medications. Raised in Sydney, Australia, he was a bright student and in his youth a nationally ranked chess player, but while still a young boy began losing his hearing and was deaf by the time he entered the University of Sydney at 16. Cornforth graduated with top honors in 1937 and in 1939 was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University in England, from whence he earned his doctorate in 1941. During World War II he performed research into the manufacture of penicillin, in the process helping to make the then new 'wonder drug' more readily available to sick and injured troops, his efforts detailed in his 1949 book "The Chemistry of Penicillin". From 1946 thru 1962 he served with the National Institute for Medical Research. While holding concurrent appointments at the Universities of Warwick and Sussex, he directed the Milstead Laboratory of Chemical Enzymology from 1962 thru 1975, his research led to methods of blocking the formation of the cholesterol molecule. For his discoveries, he shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Vladimir Prelog, whose studies followed similar lines. In addition to the Nobel, his honors were many and included the Davy Medal in 1968, designation as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1972, Knighthood in 1977, the Copley Medal in 1982, and in 1991 appointment as Companion of the order of Australia (AC). He lived out his days in Sussex, remaining active and mentally sharp until his death from the effects of advanced age.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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