Derek Harold Richard Barton

Date of Birth: September 8, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: March 16, 1998

Biography

Derek Harold Richard Barton was a renowned British chemist who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He was born on September 8, 1918, in Gravesend, Kent, England. Barton is best known for his work on conformational analysis, which revolutionized the understanding of the spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. This groundbreaking work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969, which he shared with Norwegian chemist Odd Hassel. Barton received his early education at Gravesend Grammar School and later earned his Ph.D. from Imperial College London in 1942. His academic career included prestigious positions at institutions such as Birkbeck College, the University of Glasgow, and eventually Imperial College London, where he served as a professor of organic chemistry. In addition to his academic work, Barton was a prolific author, publishing numerous papers and books that have had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry. His contributions have been recognized with various awards and honors, including knighthood in 1972. Barton passed away on March 16, 1998, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and discovery.

5 Interesting Facts about Derek Harold Richard Barton

1. Derek Barton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969 for his work on conformational analysis.

2. He was knighted in 1972 for his contributions to science.

3. Barton authored over 400 scientific papers and several influential books on organic chemistry.

4. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and received numerous international honors, including the Royal Medal and the Copley Medal.

5. Barton’s work laid the foundation for significant advancements in medicinal chemistry and drug design.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Derek Harold Richard Barton

1. “In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.”

2. “Chemistry is necessarily an experimental science: its conclusions are drawn from data, and its principles supported by evidence from facts.”

3. “The beauty of science is that it transforms the complex into the comprehensible.”

4. “A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.”

5. “The essence of the scientific method is that it is a self-correcting process.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Derek Harold Richard Barton is not publicly documented, but his significant contributions to science and his Nobel Prize win indicate he was highly esteemed in his field.