Cyril Norman Hugh Long
Encyclopedia
Cyril Norman Hugh Long was an English-American biochemist
and academic administrator. He was Sterling Professor
of physiological chemistry
at Yale University
for 31 years during the middle part of the 20th century.
Long studied organic chemistry
at the University of Manchester
and received his M.D.
from McGill University
in 1928. He served as director of the George S. Cox Medical Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania
. In 1936, Long moved to Yale University
and the School of Medicine
. At Yale, he was Director of the Division of Biological Sciences (1939-42), Dean of the School of Medicine (1947-52), and Chair of Physiology (1951-64). He believed in the responsibility of the university towards the community and thought that the school should provide leadership in teaching and research.
In the 1930s and 1940s Long and Abraham White worked together in the Yale Medical Center. As a result of their work in 1937 they isolated bovine prolactin, the first of the protein
pituitary hormones to be obtained in pure crystal
line form. Later, they isolated different hormones, and later characterized and sequenced
many of them, greatly contributing to modern biochemistry
. Long mainly worked with the hormones of the pituitary gland and adrenal extracts of the metabolism
; his major research goal was to find a cure for diabetes.
Long died on July 6, 1970.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and academic administrator. He was Sterling Professor
Sterling Professor
A Sterling Professorship is the highest academic rank at Yale University, awarded to a tenured faculty member considered one of the best in his or her field...
of physiological chemistry
Physiological chemistry
Physiological chemistry is the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body and of the various physiological processes incident to life. Physiological chemistry is essentially the precursor to modern biochemistry. In the nineteenth century, physiological chemistry dealt primarily with...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
for 31 years during the middle part of the 20th century.
Background
Cyril Long was born in England, the first of two sons of John Edward and Rose Fanny. As a young man, he did not plan to study to become a scientist. He instead experimented with diverse areas such as perfume making and working with wood. Long devoted much of his time to literature and history. As a child he enjoyed playing soccer and cricket and many times his father needed to remind him to come back home to study. He always performed well during his school years and was ranked among the best of his graduating class. He appeared to have a natural talent for chemistry and once said, "I was attracted from an early age to chemistry, largely by my own fortunate contact in an English school with a science master ... whose ways of teaching it was so effective that a large number of his students have become scientists". Long married Hilda Jarman in 1928; she was very interested in her husband's contributions to science.Long studied organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
at the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
and received his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in 1928. He served as director of the George S. Cox Medical Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. In 1936, Long moved to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and the School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
The Yale School of Medicine at Yale University is a private medical school located in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. It was founded in 1810 as The Medical Institution of Yale College, and formally opened its doors in 1813....
. At Yale, he was Director of the Division of Biological Sciences (1939-42), Dean of the School of Medicine (1947-52), and Chair of Physiology (1951-64). He believed in the responsibility of the university towards the community and thought that the school should provide leadership in teaching and research.
In the 1930s and 1940s Long and Abraham White worked together in the Yale Medical Center. As a result of their work in 1937 they isolated bovine prolactin, the first of the protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
pituitary hormones to be obtained in pure crystal
Crystal
A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography...
line form. Later, they isolated different hormones, and later characterized and sequenced
Sequencing
In genetics and biochemistry, sequencing means to determine the primary structure of an unbranched biopolymer...
many of them, greatly contributing to modern biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
. Long mainly worked with the hormones of the pituitary gland and adrenal extracts of the metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
; his major research goal was to find a cure for diabetes.
Long died on July 6, 1970.