# Alfred Hershey

> American chemist (1908–1997)

**Wikidata**: [Q271703](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271703)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hershey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alfred-hershey

## Summary
Alfred Hershey was an American chemist, geneticist, and microbiologist who lived from 1908 to 1997. He is best known for his contributions to the fields of bacteriology and genetics, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Hershey was affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis and held memberships in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 4, 1908
- **Died:** May 22, 1997
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Michigan State University
- **Known for:** Contributions to bacteriology and genetics
- **Employer(s):** Washington University in St. Louis
- **Field(s):** Bacteriology, Genetics
- **Occupations:** Chemist, Geneticist, Microbiologist

## Contributions
Alfred Hershey's work is primarily recognized through the prestigious awards he received for fundamental discoveries in biomedical science and genetics. He was a recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, an honor granted for a fundamental discovery that opens up a new area of biomedical science. His research achievements were further acknowledged with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, one of the five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by Alfred Nobel. Additionally, he received the Kimber Genetics Award, an American award specifically recognizing achievements in genetics research. His professional focus was centered on the study of bacteria (bacteriology) and the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms (genetics).

## FAQs
**What awards did Alfred Hershey receive?**
Alfred Hershey was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, and the Kimber Genetics Award.

**Where was Alfred Hershey educated?**
He received his education at Michigan State University, a public research university and land-grant institution founded in 1855.

**What were Alfred Hershey's primary occupations?**
Hershey worked as a chemist, a geneticist, and a microbiologist, investigating the characteristics of microscopic organisms and studying heredity.

**Which scientific organizations was Alfred Hershey a member of?**
He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center, and the National Academy of Sciences, the science branch of the United States National Academies.

**What fields of science did Alfred Hershey work in?**
His fields of work included bacteriology, the study of bacteria, and genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.

## Why They Matter
Alfred Hershey matters because his work provided foundational insights into the fields of genetics and bacteriology, areas that are essential for understanding the mechanisms of life and heredity. His recognition with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine places him among the most significant contributors to biomedical science, indicating that his discoveries had a profound impact on the understanding of human health and disease. By receiving the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, his work is credited with opening new areas of scientific inquiry. As a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, his contributions were considered to be at the forefront of national and scientific progress. His research in genetics supports the broader scientific understanding of inheritance, variation, and the biological foundations of life.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine:** Recipient of one of the five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by Alfred Nobel.
- **Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research:** Honored for a fundamental discovery that opened up a new area of biomedical science.
- **Kimber Genetics Award:** Recipient of an American award for genetics research.
- **National Academy of Sciences Membership:** Member of the science branch of the United States National Academies.
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences Membership:** Member of the United States honorary society and policy research center.
- **Washington University in St. Louis Affiliation:** Associated with the private research university in St. Louis, Missouri.
- **Michigan State University Alumnus:** Educated at the public research university in East Lansing, Michigan.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alfred Day Hershey was born on December 4, 1908. He pursued his higher education at Michigan State University, a public research university founded in 1855 and located in East Lansing, Michigan. This institution, known as a land-grant university, provided the academic foundation for his future scientific career.

### Career and Affiliations
Hershey's professional career was closely tied to Washington University in St. Louis, a private research university founded in 1853. He served as an affiliate of this institution, which is recognized for its research contributions and membership in the Association of American Universities. Throughout his career, Hershey was identified by several professional titles, including chemist, geneticist, and microbiologist. As a chemist, he was a scientist trained in the study of chemistry; as a geneticist, he was a biologist who studies genetics; and as a microbiologist, he investigated the characteristics of microscopic organisms.

### Scientific Fields and Research
Hershey's work was concentrated in two primary scientific fields: bacteriology and genetics. Bacteriology is the study of bacteria, a discipline crucial for medical and industrial applications. Genetics is the scientific study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. This field serves as a branch of biology that explores how genetic information is passed down through generations and influences traits. By working in these areas, Hershey contributed to the foundational knowledge required for understanding inheritance patterns, genetic disorders, and evolutionary processes.

### Awards and Recognition
Hershey's contributions to science were recognized with several major awards. He received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, an American award instituted in 1946 that honors a fundamental discovery opening a new area of biomedical science. He was also a recipient of the Kimber Genetics Award, an American award for genetics research established in 1955. Most notably, Hershey was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Established in 1901, this prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and is highly regarded in the scientific community.

### Professional Memberships
In addition to his awards, Hershey was elected to membership in prestigious scientific societies. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, which serves as the science branch of the United States National Academies and was founded in 1863. These memberships reflect the high esteem in which his scientific work was held by his peers.

### Legacy
Alfred Hershey passed away on May 22, 1997. His legacy is defined by his significant contributions to genetics and bacteriology, fields that drive modern medical research, pharmaceutical development, and healthcare innovations. His work remains part of the broader scientific effort to understand the genetic basis of life, a pursuit that informs everything from disease prevention to agricultural improvement.

## References

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5. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1969. Nobel Foundation](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1969/summary/)
6. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
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