Frederick Gowland Hopkins

Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins OM FRS (June 20, 1861 Eastbourne, Sussex - May 16, 1947 Cambridge) was an English biochemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1929, with Christiaan Eijkman, for the discovery of vitamins. He also discovered the amino acid tryptophan, in 1901.

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Hopkins was educated at the City of London School completing his further study with the University of London External Programme and the medical school at Guy's Hospital (King's College London).^[1] He became Professor of Biochemistry at Cambridge University in 1914, where his students included neurochemistry pioneer Judah Hirsch Quastel.

He was awarded the 1929 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (together with Christiaan Eijkman) for his discovery that certain trace substances -- now known as vitamins -- are essential for the maintenance of good health. He also discovered that muscle contraction can lead to the accumulation of lactic acid.

Hopkins was knighted in 1925.

Timeline

• June 30, 1861: Born in Eastbourne, Sussex, England.
• 1890: Gains B.Sc. degree from University of London.
• 1894: Medical degree from Guy's Hospital, London.
• 1898: Married to Jessie Anne Stevens.
• 1898-1910: Lecturer in Chemical Physiology, Cambridge University.
• 1905: Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (Britain's most prestigious scientific organization).
• 1910: Appointed Fellow and Praelector in Biochemistry, Trinity College, Cambridge.
• 1912: Publishes "Feeding Experiments Illustrating the Importance of Accessory Food Factors in Normal Dietaries", demonstrating the need for vitamins in diet.
• 1914-1943: First ever Professor of Biochemistry at Cambridge University.
• 1918: Awarded Royal Medal of the Royal Society.
• 1925: Knighted by King George V.
• 1926: Awarded Copley Medal of the Royal Society.
• 1929: Wins Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology.
• 1930-1935: President of the Royal Society.
• 1933: President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
• 1935: Awarded the Order of Merit (Britain's most exclusive civilian honor).
• May 16, 1947: Dies in Cambridge, England.

Notes

1. ^ Joseph Needham, "Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, O.M., F.R.S. (1861-1947)," Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 17, No. 2. (Dec., 1962), pp. 117-162[1]

References

• Thomas, N.J.T. 1998. The Life and Scientific Work of Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins