# Wendell Meredith Stanley

> American biochemist and virologist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1946)

**Wikidata**: [Q105937](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105937)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Meredith_Stanley)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wendell-meredith-stanley

## Summary
Wendell Meredith Stanley was an American biochemist and virologist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946 for his discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus, which demonstrated that viruses contain genetic material. He was the first scientist to isolate and crystallize a virus, proving that viruses were biological entities distinct from bacteria.

## Biography
- Born: August 16, 1904, Ridgeville, Indiana, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Earlham College (1926)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley (1929)
- Known for: Isolating and crystallizing the tobacco mosaic virus, proving viruses contain genetic material
- Employer(s):
  - University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (1929–1931, 1933–1935, 1937–1941, 1942–1946, 1947–1971)
  - University of California, Berkeley (1931–1933, 1935–1937, 1941–1942)
  - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1946–1947)
  - Rockefeller University (1947–1971)
- Field(s): Biochemistry, Virology

## Contributions
- **Discovery of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (1935):** Stanley isolated and crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus, proving it was a biological entity distinct from bacteria. This work demonstrated that viruses contain genetic material, a groundbreaking discovery that challenged the then-prevailing belief that viruses were merely infectious agents.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1946):** Awarded for his work on the tobacco mosaic virus, which provided critical evidence for the viral nature of infectious agents and their genetic composition.
- **Development of Virus Crystallization Techniques:** Stanley pioneered methods for crystallizing viruses, enabling detailed structural analysis and advancing virology as a scientific discipline.
- **Contributions to Biochemistry:** His research on viruses and their genetic material laid the foundation for modern virology and molecular biology, influencing subsequent studies on viral genetics and replication.

## FAQs
### What was Wendell Meredith Stanley's most significant scientific achievement?
Wendell Meredith Stanley's most significant achievement was the isolation and crystallization of the tobacco mosaic virus in 1935. This work proved that viruses were biological entities containing genetic material, a discovery that revolutionized virology and challenged the prevailing view that viruses were merely infectious agents.

### Where did Wendell Meredith Stanley conduct his groundbreaking research on viruses?
Stanley conducted his groundbreaking research on viruses at the University of California, Berkeley, where he isolated and crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus. His work there laid the foundation for his Nobel Prize-winning research.

### What was the impact of Wendell Meredith Stanley's discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus?
Stanley's discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus demonstrated that viruses contained genetic material, a finding that challenged the then-prevailing belief that viruses were merely infectious agents. This work provided critical evidence for the viral nature of infectious agents and advanced virology as a scientific discipline.

### Which institutions did Wendell Meredith Stanley work at during his career?
Wendell Meredith Stanley worked at several institutions throughout his career, including the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, the University of California, Berkeley, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the Rockefeller University. His affiliations with these institutions were pivotal to his research and contributions to science.

## Why They Matter
Wendell Meredith Stanley's work on the tobacco mosaic virus was revolutionary, proving that viruses were biological entities with genetic material. This discovery challenged the prevailing view that viruses were merely infectious agents and laid the foundation for modern virology. His methods for crystallizing viruses enabled detailed structural analysis, advancing the field of virology and influencing subsequent studies on viral genetics and replication. Stanley's contributions to biochemistry and virology have had a lasting impact on scientific understanding and continue to shape research in these areas.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1946):** Awarded for his discovery of the tobacco mosaic virus, which demonstrated that viruses contain genetic material.
- **First Isolation and Crystallization of a Virus:** Stanley was the first scientist to isolate and crystallize a virus, proving its biological nature and genetic composition.
- **Pioneer in Virology:** His work laid the foundation for modern virology and influenced subsequent research on viral genetics and replication.
- **Professor at Prestigious Institutions:** Stanley taught at renowned institutions such as the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Rockefeller University.
- **Member of Academic Societies:** Stanley was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the French Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Japan Academy.
- **Recipient of Multiple Awards:** In addition to the Nobel Prize, Stanley received the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Willard Gibbs Award, the Franklin Medal, the AMA Scientific Achievement Award, the Silliman Memorial Lectures, the William H. Nichols Medal, the John Scott Award, a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Paris, and the Golden Plate Award.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Wendell Meredith Stanley was born on August 16, 1904, in Ridgeville, Indiana. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Earlham College in 1926 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1929. His early education laid the foundation for his subsequent research in biochemistry and virology.

### Career and Research
Stanley began his academic career at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in 1929, where he conducted his groundbreaking research on viruses. In 1935, he isolated and crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus, proving that viruses were biological entities with genetic material. This discovery challenged the prevailing view that viruses were merely infectious agents and laid the foundation for modern virology.

Stanley's work earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946, recognizing his contributions to the field of virology. His methods for crystallizing viruses enabled detailed structural analysis, advancing the field of virology and influencing subsequent studies on viral genetics and replication.

Throughout his career, Stanley worked at several prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the Rockefeller University. His affiliations with these institutions were pivotal to his research and contributions to science.

### Academic Affiliations and Honors
Stanley was a member of numerous academic societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the French Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Japan Academy. He received multiple awards and honors throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Willard Gibbs Award, the Franklin Medal, the AMA Scientific Achievement Award, the Silliman Memorial Lectures, the William H. Nichols Medal, the John Scott Award, a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Paris, and the Golden Plate Award.

### Legacy and Influence
Wendell Meredith Stanley's work on the tobacco mosaic virus had a lasting impact on the field of virology and biochemistry. His discovery proved that viruses were biological entities with genetic material, challenging the prevailing view that viruses were merely infectious agents. Stanley's methods for crystallizing viruses enabled detailed structural analysis, advancing the field of virology and influencing subsequent studies on viral genetics and replication.

Stanley's contributions to science continue to shape research in virology and biochemistry. His groundbreaking work on the tobacco mosaic virus laid the foundation for modern virology and continues to be cited and referenced in scientific literature. His legacy as a pioneer in virology and biochemistry ensures that his contributions will remain influential for generations to come.

## References

1. [Source](http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-162039/Wendell-Stanley-in-1970?&articleTypeId=31)
2. [Source](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/npg.els.0002918/pdf)
3. [Source](http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Ridgeville,_Indiana.html)
4. [Source](http://biography.yourdictionary.com/wendell-meredith-stanley)
5. [Source](http://www.aai.org/about/History/Notable_Members/Nobel/Stanley_Wendell.html)
6. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/563251/Wendell-Meredith-Stanley)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/416856/Nobel-Prize/93434/The-prizes)
9. [Source](http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Wendell_Meredith_Stanley.aspx)
10. [Source](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-agin/book-review-viruses-plagu_b_347648.html)
11. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/honors/288/000130895/)
12. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/084/000099784/)
13. NNDB
14. Indiana Authors and Their Books, 1917–1966
15. Find a Grave
16. Guggenheim Fellows database
17. [Source](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1946/)
18. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
19. [Source](https://chicagoacs.org/Willard_Gibbs_Award)
20. [Source](https://www.newyorkacs.org/nicholsmedalists.html)
21. [Source](https://thejohnscottaward.github.io/jsc/1901-1950.html)
22. Onze nouveaux docteurs "honoris causa" de l'université de Paris. Le Monde. 1947
23. [L'Information universitaire. 1947](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4586114f/f4.item.r=honoris.zoom)
24. [Source](https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/all-honorees/)
25. International Standard Name Identifier
26. Virtual International Authority File
27. CiNii Research
28. [Source](https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/bukko/bukko_kyakuin.html)
29. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
30. SNAC
31. Stanley, Wendell Meredith (16 August 1904–15 June 1971), Nobel Prize-winning scientist
32. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
33. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
34. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
35. Croatian Encyclopedia
36. La France savante
37. Munzinger Personen
38. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/edu/705/000068501/)
39. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
40. nobelprize.org
41. Catalogo of the National Library of India