Hermann Joseph Muller

Hermann Joseph Muller (December 21, 1890 – April 5, 1967) was an American geneticist, educator, and Nobel laureate best known for his work on the physiological and genetic effects of radiation (mutagenesis), as well as his outspoken political beliefs.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Muller was born in New York City, the son of Frances (Lyons) and Hermann Joseph Muller Sr., a craftsman who worked with metals. He graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx in 1906. He then went on to study at the Columbia University where he was influenced by American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan.

Career[edit | edit source]

Muller worked on the fruit fly (Drosophila) where he made significant discoveries. In 1927, while working at the University of Texas, he made the discovery that X-rays can cause genetic mutations. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1946.

Personal Life and Death[edit | edit source]

Muller was married twice, first to mathematician Jessie Marie Jacobs and then to Dorothea Kantorowicz. He had one child from his first marriage. Muller died in 1967 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Muller's work has had a significant impact on genetics, radiation biology, and the development of radiation safety standards. His research has also contributed to the understanding of the genetic effects of radiation exposure, which has implications for radiation therapy in medicine and the health risks associated with radiation exposure.

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Nobel Prize Biography

Hermann Joseph Muller Resources
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