Background
Todd was born near Glasgow, attended Allan Glen"s School and graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Bachelor of Science
biochemist chemist politician professor
Todd was born near Glasgow, attended Allan Glen"s School and graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science (Carnegie Research scholar 1928-1929), University Glasgow, 1928. Doctor of Science, University Glasgow, 1938. Dr.phil.nat., University Frankfurt am Main, 1931.
Doctor of Philosophy, Oxford University, England, 1933. Master of Arts, University Cambridge, England, 1944. Doctor of Laws (honorary), university of Glasgow, Melbourne, Edinburg, California, Manchester, Hokkaido, Melbourne, Edinburh, California, Manchester, Hokkaido.
Doctor rerum naturalium (honorary), University Kiel. Doctor of Letters (honorary), University Sydney. Doctor of Science (honorary), university of London, Exeter, Warwick, Sheffield, Liverpool, Oxford, Leicester, Durham, England.
Doctor of Science (honorary), University Wales. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Madrid. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Aligarh, India.
Doctor of Science (honorary), University Strasbourg, France. Doctor of Science (honorary), Harvard University, Yale University,U. Michigan. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Paris.
Doctor of Science (honorary), University Adelaide, Australia. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Strathclyde, Scotland. Doctor of Science (honorary), Australian National University, University Cambridge, University Philippines, Tufts University, Chinese University Hong Kong, Hong Kong University.
In 1928. He received a Doctor of Philosophy (Drphilnat) from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main in 1931 for his thesis on the chemistry of the bile acids. Todd was awarded an 1851 Research Fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, and, after studying at Oriel College, Oxford, he gained another doctorate in 1933. After graduating from the University of Oxford, Todd held posts with the Lister Institute, the University of Edinburgh (staff, 1934–1936) and the University of London, where he was appointed Reader in Biochemistry.
Todd became the Sir Samuel Hall Chair of Chemistry and Director of the Chemical Laboratories of the University of Manchester in 1938, where he began working on nucleosides, compounds that form the structural units of nucleic acids (deoxyribonucleic acid and Ribonucleic acid).
In 1944, he was appointed to the 1702 Chair of Chemistry in the University of Cambridge, which he held until his retirement in 1971. In 1949, he synthesized adenosine triphosphate (Association of Tennis Professionals) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).
In 1955, he elucidated the structure of vitamin B12, later working on the structure and synthesis of vitamin B1 and vitamin East, the anthocyanins (the pigments of flowers and fruits) from insects (aphids, beetles) and studied alkaloids found in hashish and marijuana. He served as chairman of the Government of the United Kingdom"s advisory committee on scientific policy from 1952 to 1964.
He was elected a Fellow of Christ"s College, Cambridge in 1944 and was Master from 1963 to 1978.
He became Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde in 1975, and a visiting professor at Hatfield Polytechnic (1978–1986). Todd died in 1997 after a heart attack. He was knighted as Sir Alexander Todd in 1954 and was created a Life Peer as Baron Todd of Trumpington in the County of Cambridge on 16 April 1962.
Chairman Nuffield Foundation, London, 1936—1980. Chairman governors United Cambridge Hospitals, 1969—1974. Chairman trustees Croucher Foundation, Hong Kong, 1980—1987, president, 1988—1996.
Fellow: Surgical Glasgow, Royal College Physicians, Royal Society, Manchester College of Technology (honorary), Royal Society Edinburgh (honorary), Royal College Physicians London (honorary), Australian Chemical Institute (honorary). Member: National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Society Chemical Industry., International Union Pure and Applied Chemistry (president 1963-1965), Chemical Society 1960-1962, New York Academy of Sciences, American Philosophical Society, Swiss Chemical Society (honorary), French Chemical Society (honorary), German Chemical Society (honorary), Spanish Chemical Society (honorary), Belgian Chemical Society (honorary), Japanese Chemical Society (honorary), Academy Natural Philosophy Halle, Russian Academy of Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ghana Academy of Sciences, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Australian Academy of Sciences.
Married Alison Sarah Dale, January 30, 1937 (deceased 1987). Children: Alexander Henry, Helen Todd Brown, Hilary Alison.