# Erwin Chargaff

> Ukrainian-born biochemist who emigrated to the United States (1905–2002)

**Wikidata**: [Q455944](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q455944)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Chargaff)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/erwin-chargaff

## Summary
Erwin Chargaff was a Ukrainian-born biochemist who emigrated to the United States and lived from 1905 to 2002. He is best known for his work in biochemistry, holding significant academic affiliations with institutions such as Columbia University and Yale University, and receiving prestigious recognition including the National Medal of Science.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 11, 1905
- **Died**: June 20, 2002
- **Nationality**: Ukrainian-born; emigrated to the United States; also held citizenship in Austria.
- **Education**: Educated at the University of Vienna.
- **Known for**: Contributions to biochemistry as a scientist, writer, and biographer.
- **Employer(s)**: Columbia University, Yale University, Pasteur Institute.
- **Field(s)**: Biochemistry.
- **Memberships**: German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Philosophical Society, National Academy of Sciences.

## Contributions
Erwin Chargaff contributed to the field of biochemistry through his research and academic work. His career included positions at major research institutions such as Columbia University and Yale University. He was recognized with the National Medal of Science, highlighting the impact of his scientific contributions. Additionally, he engaged in literary pursuits as a writer and biographer, expanding his influence beyond pure scientific research.

## FAQs
**What were Erwin Chargaff's academic affiliations?**
Erwin Chargaff was affiliated with several prestigious institutions. He was employed by Columbia University and Yale University, and he also worked with the Pasteur Institute in France.

**Which academic societies recognized Erwin Chargaff?**
He was a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the National Academy of Sciences.

**What awards did Erwin Chargaff receive?**
Throughout his career, Chargaff received the National Medal of Science, the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer, the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art, and the Gregor Mendel Medal.

**Where was Erwin Chargaff educated?**
Erwin Chargaff received his education at the University of Vienna, a public university in Austria founded in 1365.

## Why They Matter
Erwin Chargaff matters as a significant figure in the history of biochemistry, bridging European and American scientific traditions. His long career, spanning from his education in Vienna to his work at top American universities, positioned him as a key contributor to the scientific community. His membership in multiple national academies underscores the respect he garnered from peers globally. By acting as a writer and biographer, he also played a role in documenting and communicating scientific history, ensuring that the knowledge and narratives of his field were preserved for future generations.

## Notable For
- **National Medal of Science Recipient**: Awarded the United States' highest scientific honor.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship**: Recognized for his scholarly excellence with this prestigious grant.
- **Multi-National Academic Membership**: Held membership in four major academies: the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Philosophical Society, and National Academy of Sciences.
- **Dr H.P. Heineken Prize**: Awarded for Biochemistry and Biophysics.
- **Austrian Decoration for Science and Art**: Recognized by Austria for his contributions.
- **University of Vienna Alumnus**: Educated at one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world.
- **Longevity**: A career spanning nearly a century (1905–2002).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Erwin Chargaff was born on August 11, 1905. He pursued his higher education at the University of Vienna (Universität Wien), a public research university located in Vienna, Austria. The university, founded in 1365, is one of the oldest in the German-speaking world and is known for its large student body and extensive research output. Chargaff's education there provided the foundation for his future career in the sciences.

### Academic Career and Affiliations
Chargaff built a distinguished academic career primarily in the United States. He held employment at **Columbia University**, a private university in New York City founded in 1754. He also worked at **Yale University**, a private university in New Haven, Connecticut founded in 1701. His career also included work at the **Pasteur Institute**, a French non-profit research foundation founded in 1887 by Louis Pasteur, dedicated to the study of biology, micro-organisms, diseases, and vaccines. Additionally, he was affiliated with the **Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin**, a public research university in Berlin, Germany.

### Professional Recognition and Awards
Throughout his life, Chargaff received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his work in biochemistry:
- **National Medal of Science**: A science award instituted in 1963 in the United States.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship**: A grant awarded annually in the arts, established in 1925.
- **Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and Biophysics**: A significant scientific award.
- **Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer**: An award instituted in 1961.
- **Austrian Decoration for Science and Art**: An Austrian award instituted in 1955.
- **Gregor Mendel Medal**: A German award in biology.

### Society Memberships
Chargaff was an elected member of several elite scientific organizations, reflecting his standing in the scientific community:
- **German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina**: The national academy of Germany, founded in 1652.
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: A United States honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780.
- **American Philosophical Society**: An American scholarly organization founded in 1743.
- **National Academy of Sciences**: The science branch of the United States National Academies, founded in 1863.

### Death and Legacy
Erwin Chargaff passed away on June 20, 2002. He is identified as a human, biochemist, chemist, writer, and biographer. His life spanned nearly the entire 20th century, during which he contributed to the field of biochemistry and held citizenship or significant ties to Ukraine, Austria, and the United States.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](https://www.leopoldina.org/en/about-us/distinctions-of-the-academy/medals/mendel-medal/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. NNDB
8. [Source](https://www.dla-marbach.de/index.php?id=450&ADISDB=BF&WEB=JA&ADISOI=11948)
9. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-2498-BF00011948)
10. SNAC
11. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2016757
15. nobelprize.org
16. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12026629p)