Carl Djerassi dies
Well his father was a dermatologist, and he held the first patent on an antihistamine, but I knew neither of these facts before reading this obituary of the great Carl Djerassi.
Dr. Djerassi (pronounced jer-AH-see) arrived in America as World War II engulfed Europe, a 16-year-old Austrian Jewish refugee who, with his mother, lost their last $20 to a swindling New York cabdriver. He wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, asking for assistance, and obtained a college scholarship. It was a little help that made a big difference.
I think it was Jacob Bronowski who said that most of twentieth century physics was made by the sons of cobblers, but just note the phrase: he wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, asking for assistance, and obtained a college scholarship. If you haven’t read any of his fiction, you are missing something. (and I assume it wasn’t an Uber cab).
Carl Djerassi interview
Terrific interview that gives a feel for Djerassi’s heft. A wonderful case-study of how medicine ‘works’.