Herchel Smith
Encyclopedia
Herchel Smith was an Anglo-American organic chemist. His discoveries include the key inventions underlying oral and injectable contraceptives. In later life, he was a major benefactor to university science.
In England, Cambridge University
, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
and Queen Mary, University of London
have been the major beneficiaries. In the US, it has been Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania
and Williams College
.
During his lifetime and after his death, Herchel donated over $200 million to Cambridge $100 million to Harvard, including endowments expanding student exchange between the two universities.
His early education in Plymouth and Exeter (in the West of England) led him in 1942 to Emmanuel College, Cambridge
, where he studied the Natural Sciences Tripos
. Smith had research interests in organic chemistry that were stimulated by Professor Lord Todd.
His independent research started in Oxford University (1952-1956) but reached its full fruition whilst he was a lecturer in organic chemistry
at the University of Manchester
.
In 1961, a three month visit to the research laboratories of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania, evolved into a permanent position where he continued to research steroid chemistry.
Herchel Smith’s work on new methods for the total synthesis of steroids led to the development of commercially feasible methods for the industrial production of estrone
, equilin
(an important constituent of treatments for post-menopausal syndrome), 19-nor-testosterone, and Norgestrel
(a novel progestogen). Norgestrel was found to be a potent contraceptive and formed the basis for a range of contraceptive drugs both oral and injectable - mainly marketed by Wyeth
and Schering
AG of Germany, who still today are leaders in contraceptives.
He retired in 1973 and started a new career as a philanthropist
in which he returned to the academic community the major part of the substantial fortune that had accrued from his patent and licensing fees.
Dr. Smiths interests outside research and chemistry were varied. He was a discerning art collector. During a period in the mid-1970s he purchased the Kimberly Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever to be found in South Africa. Also he designed his own ocean-going yacht, Synthesis. Finally, he also initialed his precious metals portfolio, particularly un platinum
In England, Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
and Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
have been the major beneficiaries. In the US, it has been Harvard, 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...
and Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
.
During his lifetime and after his death, Herchel donated over $200 million to Cambridge $100 million to Harvard, including endowments expanding student exchange between the two universities.
His early education in Plymouth and Exeter (in the West of England) led him in 1942 to Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
, where he studied the Natural Sciences Tripos
Tripos
The University of Cambridge, England, divides the different kinds of honours bachelor's degree by Tripos , plural Triposes. The word has an obscure etymology, but may be traced to the three-legged stool candidates once used to sit on when taking oral examinations...
. Smith had research interests in organic chemistry that were stimulated by Professor Lord Todd.
His independent research started in Oxford University (1952-1956) but reached its full fruition whilst he was a lecturer in 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...
.
In 1961, a three month visit to the research laboratories of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania, evolved into a permanent position where he continued to research steroid chemistry.
Herchel Smith’s work on new methods for the total synthesis of steroids led to the development of commercially feasible methods for the industrial production of estrone
Estrone
Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by the ovary as well as adipose tissue.Estrone is one of several natural estrogens, which also include estriol and estradiol...
, equilin
Equilin
Equilin is an estrogen from horses with the chemical name 3-hydroxyestra-1,3,5,7-tetraen-17-one. Equilin is one of the estrogens present in the mixture of estrogens isolated from horse urine and marketed as Premarin. Premarin became the most commonly used form of estrogen for hormone replacement...
(an important constituent of treatments for post-menopausal syndrome), 19-nor-testosterone, and Norgestrel
Norgestrel
Norgestrel is a progestin used in hormonal contraceptives. Norgestrel is a mixture of two stereoisomers, dextro-norgestrel and levo-norgestrel . Only levonorgestrel is biologically active...
(a novel progestogen). Norgestrel was found to be a potent contraceptive and formed the basis for a range of contraceptive drugs both oral and injectable - mainly marketed by Wyeth
Wyeth
Wyeth, formerly one of the companies owned by American Home Products Corporation , was a pharmaceutical company. The company was based in Madison, New Jersey, USA...
and Schering
Schering
Schering AG was a research-centered German pharmaceutical company. It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering and merged with Bayer's pharma sector in December 2006. The company's headquarters was in Berlin-Wedding, Germany...
AG of Germany, who still today are leaders in contraceptives.
He retired in 1973 and started a new career as a philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
in which he returned to the academic community the major part of the substantial fortune that had accrued from his patent and licensing fees.
Dr. Smiths interests outside research and chemistry were varied. He was a discerning art collector. During a period in the mid-1970s he purchased the Kimberly Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds ever to be found in South Africa. Also he designed his own ocean-going yacht, Synthesis. Finally, he also initialed his precious metals portfolio, particularly un platinum