Herchel Smith

Who was Herchel Smith?

Herchel Smith was an Anglo-American organic chemist. His discoveries include the key inventions underlying oral and injectable contraceptives. In later life, he was a major benefactor to university science. In England, Cambridge University, Emmanuel College, Cambridge and Queen Mary, University of London have been the major beneficiaries. In the US, it has been Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Williams College. During his lifetime and after his death, Herchel donated over $200 million to Cambridge and $100 million to Harvard, including endowments to expand student exchange between the two universities through fellowships.

His early education in Plymouth and Exeter led him in 1942 to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he studied the Natural Sciences Tripos. Smith had research interests in organic chemistry that were stimulated by Professor Lord Todd.

His independent research started in Oxford University but reached its full fruition whilst he was a lecturer in organic chemistry at the University of Manchester.