Background
George W. Merck was born in New York City to George and Friedrike (Schenck) Merck. His father had emigrated from Germany in 1891 to oversee the new office of E. Merck and Company at 62 Wall Street.
George W. Merck was born in New York City to George and Friedrike (Schenck) Merck. His father had emigrated from Germany in 1891 to oversee the new office of E. Merck and Company at 62 Wall Street.
He graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Surgery in chemistry in 1915.
He was raised in Llewellyn Park, New Jersey where he had access to Thomas Edison"s workshop. While there, he edited the Harvard Lampoon. World War I prevented him from pursuing an advanced degree in Germany.
Instead, he joined his father at the company.
He was made President of the company in 1925, shortly before his father"s death. During the interwar years, he oversaw Merck"s involvement in the development of synthetic vitamins, sulfas, antibiotics, and hormones.
During World World War II, he led the War Research Service, which initiated the United States. biological weapons program He was on the cover of Time magazine on August 18, 1952, illustrating a story about the American drug industry.
In 1951, Merck donated 2600 acres of forest and farmland to be used for public use.
This tract of land is in Rupert, Vermont. After his death, the area was renamed the Merck Forest and Farmland Foundation which seeks to educate about sustainable farming and forest agriculture. lieutenant is a popular destination for hikers and campers.
He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in West Orange, New Jersey.