Carl Djerassi

Carl Djerassi (October 29, 1923 – January 30, 2015) was an Austrian-born Bulgarian-American chemist, novelist, and playwright. He is best known for his contribution to the development of oral contraceptive pills, earning him the nickname "the father of the pill."

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Carl Djerassi was born in Vienna, Austria, to Bulgarian and Polish Jewish parents. His family moved to Bulgaria when he was young, but they fled to the United States in 1939 to escape the Nazi regime. Djerassi attended Kenyon College in Ohio, where he received a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1942. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1945.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his Ph.D., Djerassi worked for CIBA (now Novartis) in New Jersey, where he synthesized antihistamines. In 1949, he joined Syntex in Mexico City, where he led the team that developed the first synthesis of a steroid oral contraceptive, norethindrone, in 1951. This breakthrough laid the foundation for the development of the combined oral contraceptive pill.

Djerassi's career also spanned academia. He was a professor of chemistry at Stanford University from 1959 until his retirement in 2002. At Stanford, he made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, including the development of the Djerassi-Schiff base rearrangement.

In addition to his scientific work, Djerassi was a prolific writer and playwright. His literary works often explored the ethical implications of scientific advancements. His novels include Cantor's Dilemma and The Bourbaki Gambit, and his plays include An Immaculate Misconception and Phallacy.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Carl Djerassi's work had a profound impact on both science and society. His development of the oral contraceptive pill revolutionized birth control and had a significant impact on women's rights and reproductive health. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to chemistry and society, including the National Medal of Science in 1973 and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1978.

Djerassi was also a member of various prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was a strong advocate for the integration of science and the humanities and believed in the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research.