Richard Kuhn

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Richard Kuhn

Role / Field:

Austrian-German biochemist known for work on carotenoids, vitamins, and enzyme specificity.

Born:

1900-12-03

Died:

1967-07-31

Century / Era:

1900s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Richard Johann Kuhn (German pronunciation: [ˈʁɪçaʁt ˈkuːn] ; 3 December 1900 – 31 July 1967) was an Austrian-German biochemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1938 "for his work on carotenoids and vitamins". Kuhn was born on 3 December 1900 in Vienna, Austria, where he attended grammar school and high school. His interest in chemistry surfaced early; however he had many interests and decided late to study chemistry. Between 1910 and 1918 he was a schoolmate of Wolfgang Pauli, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 1945. Beginning in 1918, Kuhn attended lectures at the University of Vienna in chemistry.

Career & Major Achievements

He finished his chemistry studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) and received his doctoral degree in 1922 with Richard Willstätter for a scientific work on enzyme specificity. After graduating, Kuhn continued his scientific career, first in Munich from 1925, then at the ETH Zurich 1926–1929, and from 1929 onwards at the University of Heidelberg, where he was head of the chemistry department beginning in 1937. Kuhn's areas of study included: investigations of theoretical problems of organic chemistry (stereochemistry of aliphatic and aromatic compounds; syntheses of polyenes and cumulenes; constitution and colour; the acidity of hydrocarbons), as well as extensive fields in biochemistry (carotenoids; flavins; vitamins and enzymes). Specifically, he carried out important work on vitamin B2 and the antidermatitis vitamin B6. In 1929 he became Principal of the Institute for Chemistry at the newly founded Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Medical Research (which, since 1950, has been renamed the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By 1937 he also took over the administration of this Institute. In addition to these duties he also served as of Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Heidelberg, and for one year he was at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, as a Visiting Research Professor for Physiological Chemistry. He was subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1938 for his "work on carotenoids and vitamins," but rejected the prize as Hitler had forbidden German citizens to accept it. In a handwritten letter, he even described the awarding of the prize to a German as an invitation to violate a decree of the Führer. He received the award after World War II.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1900 (1900-12-03): Birth of Richard Kuhn — Austrian-German biochemist known for work on carotenoids, vitamins, and enzyme specificity.
2. 1910: 1910 Milestone — Between 1910 and 1918 he was a schoolmate of Wolfgang Pauli, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 1945.
3. 1918: 1918 Milestone — Beginning in 1918, Kuhn attended lectures at the University of Vienna in chemistry.
4. 1922: 1922 Milestone — He finished his chemistry studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) and received his doctoral degree in 1922 with Richard Willstätter for a scientific work on enzyme specificity.
5. 1925: 1925 Milestone — After graduating, Kuhn continued his scientific career, first in Munich from 1925, then at the ETH Zurich 1926–1929, and from 1929 onwards at the University of Heidelberg, where he was head of the chemistry department beginning in 1937.
6. 1929: 1929 Milestone — In 1929 he became Principal of the Institute for Chemistry at the newly founded Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Medical Research (which, since 1950, has been renamed the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg).
7. 1937: 1937 Milestone — By 1937 he also took over the administration of this Institute.
8. 1938: 1938 Milestone — He was subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1938 for his "work on carotenoids and vitamins," but rejected the prize as Hitler had forbidden German citizens to accept it.
9. 1967 (1967-07-31): Passing & Historical Legacy — Richard Kuhn passed away on 1967-07-31, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Richard Kuhn

True or False: “Richard Kuhn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1938 for his work on carotenoids and vitamins.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He was indeed awarded the prize in 1938; however, he famously rejected accepting it due to Nazi decrees.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Richard Kuhn