A tribute to Carl Djerassi
Main Article Content
Keywords
Biography, contraceptive agents
Abstract
On January 15, 2015, Carl Djerassi, an extraordinary personality, died at the age of 91 years. He was born in Vienna, Austria, on October 29, 1923. His parents were physicians and probably he wanted to be also a physician, but sooner than later he chose to be a chemist. In 1939 he arrived to live to New York with his mother. In 1945 he became American citizen. Part of his work is the first commercial antihistamine, pyribenzamine, and the first successful combined oral contraceptive pill. With this editorial we make a tribute to this steroid pioneer.
References
Academia Mexicana de Ciencias. Boletín AMC/038/1. Desempeñó Djerassi un papel preponderante en la industria de los esteroides en México. México DF, 18 de febrero 2015.
Djerassi C. Steroids Made it Possible (Profiles, Pathways, and Dreams). American Chemical Society; 1990.
Djerassi C. The Pill, Pygmy Chimps, and Degas’ Horse. Basic Books; 1992.
Djerassi C. From the Lab into The World: A Pill for People, Pets, and Bugs. American Chemical Society; 1994.
Djerassi C. En retrospectiva: de la píldora a la pluma. Di Renzo Editore; 2004.
Djerassi C. This Man’s Pill: Reflections on the 50th Birthday of the Pill. USA: Oxford University Press; 2004.