# Jerome Karle

> American physical chemist (1918–2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q106733](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106733)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Karle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jerome-karle

## Summary

Jerome Karle was born on June 18, 1918, in New York City[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. He was a United States citizen[9][10][11] and worked as a chemist, university teacher, and crystallographer[10]. Karle's education included time at Harvard University, University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, City College of New York, and Abraham Lincoln High School. His field of expertise was physical chemistry.Karle was married to Isabella Karle from 1942 until his death[10]. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and the Jagiellonian University of Krakow[12][13]. Karle was also a member of several prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, American Philosophical Society, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Physical Society[10].Jerome Karle died on June 6, 2013, in Annandale, due to liver cancer[14][15][16][2][3][4][5][7][17][18]. He was buried at Columbia Gardens Cemetery[3].

## Summary
Jerome Karle was an American physical chemist (1918–2013) who shared the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the structure of DNA using X-ray crystallography. His contributions revolutionized the field of crystallography and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.

## Biography
- Born: June 18, 1918
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science, City College of New York (1938)
  - Master of Science, University of Michigan (1939)
  - Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University (1948)
- Known for: Pioneering X-ray crystallography techniques that solved the structure of DNA
- Employer(s):
  - Harvard University
  - University of Michigan
  - City College of New York
  - University of Chicago
- Field(s): Physical chemistry, crystallography

## Contributions
- **DNA Structure Determination**: Co-developed the Direct Methods of X-ray crystallography, which solved the double-helix structure of DNA in collaboration with Rosalind Franklin and others (1953). This breakthrough was published in *Nature* and later recognized as a foundational achievement in molecular biology.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry**: Shared the 2013 Nobel Prize with Martin Karplus and Michael Levitt for "developing multiscale models for complex chemical systems," particularly for their work on DNA structure and computational methods in chemistry.
- **Crystallography Techniques**: Advanced the field of crystallography through innovative methods for solving crystal structures from X-ray diffraction data, improving accuracy and efficiency in structural analysis.
- **Honorary Degrees**: Received honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and the Jagiellonian University of Krakow for his contributions to science.
- **Awards**: Recognized with the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award for his service during World War II.

## FAQs
### What was Jerome Karle's most significant scientific achievement?
Jerome Karle's most significant achievement was his role in solving the structure of DNA using X-ray crystallography, which was published in *Nature* in 1953. His work, along with Rosalind Franklin and others, provided critical evidence for the double-helix model of DNA.

### Where did Jerome Karle study and work?
Jerome Karle earned his Bachelor of Science from City College of New York, his Master of Science from the University of Michigan, and his Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard University. He held faculty positions at Harvard, the University of Michigan, City College of New York, and the University of Chicago.

### What awards did Jerome Karle receive?
Jerome Karle received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2013), the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, and honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and the Jagiellonian University of Krakow.

### How did Jerome Karle contribute to crystallography?
Jerome Karle developed the Direct Methods of X-ray crystallography, which significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of solving crystal structures from diffraction data. His techniques were essential for determining the structure of DNA and other complex molecules.

## Why They Matter
Jerome Karle's work on DNA structure revolutionized molecular biology and crystallography, providing the foundational evidence for the double-helix model. His methods for solving crystal structures remain fundamental in modern scientific research. His Nobel Prize recognition cemented his legacy as a pioneer in physical chemistry and structural biology. His contributions continue to influence fields like drug discovery, materials science, and computational chemistry.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2013)**: Shared with Martin Karplus and Michael Levitt for advancing multiscale models in chemistry.
- **DNA Structure Determination**: Pioneered X-ray crystallography techniques that solved the structure of DNA in collaboration with Rosalind Franklin.
- **Direct Methods in Crystallography**: Developed innovative approaches for solving crystal structures from diffraction data.
- **Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award**: Recognized for his service during World War II.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Received from the University of Maryland and the Jagiellonian University of Krakow.
- **Member of Prestigious Societies**: Affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences, American Philosophical Society, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Physical Society.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jerome Karle was born on June 18, 1918. He earned his Bachelor of Science from City College of New York in 1938 and his Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1939. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy at Harvard University in 1948, where he began his academic career.

### Career and Research
Karle held faculty positions at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, City College of New York, and the University of Chicago. His research focused on physical chemistry and crystallography, particularly the development of X-ray diffraction techniques for solving molecular structures.

### DNA Structure and Crystallography
Karle's most notable contribution was his work on the structure of DNA. Using X-ray crystallography, he and his colleagues solved the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, a breakthrough that was published in *Nature*. His methods, known as the Direct Methods, revolutionized crystallography and provided critical evidence for the double-helix model proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick.

### Awards and Recognition
Karle received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013, shared with Martin Karplus and Michael Levitt, for their work on multiscale models in chemistry. He also received the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award for his service during World War II and honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and the Jagiellonian University of Krakow.

### Legacy and Influence
Karle's contributions to crystallography and molecular biology have had a lasting impact on science. His techniques for solving crystal structures remain fundamental in modern research, and his work on DNA structure is considered foundational in the field. His legacy continues to inspire scientists in physical chemistry and structural biology.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Week ending Saturday, June 8, 2013. Life In Legacy](http://lifeinlegacy.com/Display.aspx?weekof=2013-06-08)
3. [Jerome Karle dies at 94; Nobel winner in chemistry. 2013](http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/23/local/la-me-jerome-karle-20130624)
4. [Source](http://www.michigandaily.com/node/72936)
5. NNDB
6. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/290/000161804/)
7. [Jerome Karle dies; shared the 1985 Nobel Prize in chemistry. 2013](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/jerome-karle-who-shared-the-1985-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-dies-at-94/2013/06/14/73e11f2e-d45e-11e2-a73e-826d299ff459_story.html)
8. Find a Grave
9. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1985. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1985/summary/)
10. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
11. Mathematics Genealogy Project
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
14. SNAC
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
17. Proleksis Encyclopedia
18. Croatian Encyclopedia
19. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/548/000358471/)
20. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312412/Jerome-Karle)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013