Marguerite Davis

Marguerite Davis (biochemist)

Marguerite Davis (September 16, 1887 – September 19, 1967) was an American biochemist who co-discovered the vitamins A and B with Elmer McCollum. Her work significantly contributed to the field of nutrition and the understanding of vitamins' role in human health.

Early Life and Education

Marguerite Davis was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1910. Davis continued her studies at the same institution, working in the laboratory of Elmer McCollum.

Career and Research

In 1913, while working with McCollum, Davis co-discovered the first fat-soluble vitamin, which they named vitamin A. This discovery was crucial in understanding the importance of vitamins in the diet and their role in preventing diseases such as night blindness.

Following the discovery of vitamin A, Davis and McCollum identified a second vitamin, which they named vitamin B. This vitamin was later found to be a complex of several different compounds, including thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.

Davis's work laid the foundation for the field of vitamin research and had a lasting impact on public health and nutrition science.

Later Life and Legacy

After her groundbreaking work on vitamins, Davis continued to contribute to the field of biochemistry. She worked at various institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Minnesota.

Marguerite Davis passed away on September 19, 1967, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her contributions to the discovery of vitamins A and B remain a significant milestone in the history of biochemistry and nutrition.

See Also

• Elmer McCollum
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B complex
• Nutrition
• Biochemistry