Gertrude B. Elion

Date of Birth: January 23, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 21, 1999

Biography

Gertrude Belle Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who made significant contributions to the field of medicine. She was born on January 23, 1918, in New York City. Elion’s groundbreaking work led to the development of numerous important drugs, including the first successful antiviral medication, acyclovir, and several cancer treatments. Elion graduated summa cum laude from Hunter College in 1937 with a degree in chemistry and later earned a master’s degree from New York University. Despite facing gender discrimination that hindered her ability to obtain a Ph.D., Elion’s determination led her to take a research position at Burroughs Wellcome (now part of GlaxoSmithKline), where she worked alongside George H. Hitchings. Together, their innovative research methods revolutionized drug development by focusing on understanding the biochemical differences between normal human cells and pathogens. Elion’s work earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988, which she shared with Hitchings and Sir James Black. She passed away on February 21, 1999, but her legacy continues to impact medical research and patient care worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Gertrude B. Elion

1. Gertrude B. Elion never earned a Ph.D., yet she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Harvard University in 1998.

2. She developed the first immunosuppressive drug, azathioprine, which made organ transplants possible.

3. Elion was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

4. She was a pioneering woman in science during a time when there were very few women in the field.

5. In addition to the Nobel Prize, she received the National Medal of Science in 1991.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gertrude B. Elion

1. “I had no specific bent toward science until my grandfather died of cancer. I decided nobody should suffer that much.”

2. “Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily.”

3. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

4. “I never had any doubt that I would succeed.”

5. “We were working on the basic science, but we weren’t thinking about how we could use this to cure diseases.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gertrude B. Elion’s highest net worth is not publicly documented as her primary focus was on research and development rather than personal financial gain.