Albert Hofmann - the First Person to Synthesize Lsd, Birthday and Family
Albert Hofmann's Personal Details
Albert Hofmann was a Swiss scientist who synthesised LSD
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 11, 1906 |
| Died on | April 29, 2008 |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Famous | Scientists, Chemists, the First Person to Synthesize Lsd |
| Spouses | Anita Hofmann |
| Childrens | Andreas, Beatrice, Dieter, Gaby |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Baden |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Adolf Hofmann |
| Mother | Elisabeth Schenk |
| Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Born in | Baden |
| Famous as | The First Person to Synthesize LSD |
Albert Hofmann's photo
Who is Albert Hofmann?
Albert Hofmann was a Swiss scientist who was intrigued by nature. This led him to a career in chemistry in which he sought answers to his uncertainties. He worked at Sandoz Laboratories where he nurtured his research work, and there he made a lot of success working with various plants and converting them into something useful. He became famous when he became the first person to produce lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In addition, he was also the first person to taste it and learn about its hallucinogenic effects. He was deeply connected to the nature and argued that LSD, besides being useful for psychiatry, could also be used to promote awareness of mankind’s place in nature. However, he was disappointed that his discovery was being carelessly used as a drug for entertainment. Because of his discovery, LSD fans have fondly called him ‘The Father of LSD.’ Besides carrying out his scientific experiments, he also authored numerous books and more than 100 scientific articles. In 2007, he featured in a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses, published by The Telegraph newspaper.
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Childhood & Early Life
Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland, on January 11, 1906. He was the eldest of four children. His father was a poor toolmaker in a factory and they lived in a rented apartment. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, and grew up with a very deep connection with nature.
He had mind-blowing experiences in childhood, wherein nature was changed in magical ways that he didn’t understand. These experiences provoked questions in his mind, and chemistry was the scientific field which allowed him to understand them.
He studied chemistry at Zurich University, his main interest being the chemistry of plants and animals. At 23, he earned his PhD with honors.
Career
He took a job with Sandoz Laboratories; he was attracted by their program to produce pharmacological compounds from medicinally important plants.
He first synthesized LSD on November 16, 1938 with an aim to obtain a respiratory and circulatory stimulant. The research was set aside for five years.
He stumbled on LSD again when he was working on the ergot fungus on April 16 1943. He accidentally ate a trace of the compound and came to know about its powerful effects.
On April 19, 1943, he deliberately swallowed a dose of LSD and rode his bicycle home as the effects of the drug engulfed him. That day was remembered by LSD enthusiasts as “bicycle day.”
In 1958, Hofmann discovered ‘ethacetin’, which is an 'intoxicating tryptamine.’
He became director of the natural products department at Sandoz Laboratories. He continued studying hallucinogenic substances found in Mexican mushrooms and other plants. He produced ‘psilocybin’, the active agent of many ‘magic mushrooms.’
He also became interested in the seeds of the Mexican morning glory and found that the active compound ‘ergine’ (LSA, ‘lysergic acid amide’), has a distinct likeness to LSD.
Hofmann also produced other important drugs like ‘methergine’, for treating postpartum hemorrhaging, which was the leading cause of death from childbirth.
In 1962, he and his wife Anita Hofmann went to Mexico to search for the plant ‘Ska Maria Pastora’ to identify its active compound. However, he was not able to identify it at that time. It was later identified as the ‘diterpenoid salvinorin A’.
In 1963, he attended the annual convention of the ‘World Academy of Arts and Sciences’ (WAAS) in Stockholm.
He stayed with Sandoz Laboratories as head of the research department for natural medicines until he retired in 1971.
He delivered a speech at the 1996 Worlds of Consciousness Conference in Heidelberg, Germany.
In an interview before he turned 100, Hoffman called LSD “medicine for the soul.” He was disappointed that it was prohibited worldwide, knowing that it has been very successful in psychoanalysis. However, he acknowledged that it could be dangerous if misused, especially if given to a first-time user without supervision from a doctor.
Major Works
He was the first person to produce, consume, and know the mind-altering effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Awards & Achievements
Albert Hofmann received the title D.Sc. (honoris causa) in 1969 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
In 1971, the Swedish Pharmaceutical Association (Sveriges Farmacevtförbund) gave him the Scheele Award. It’s an award which commemorates the achievements of Carl Wilhelm Scheele, the Swedish Pomeranian chemist and pharmacist.
In a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses published by The Telegraph newspaper in 2007, he shared first place, together with Tim Berners-Lee.
Personal Life & Legacy
Albert Hofmann was married to Anita and the couple had four children. His wife died in 2007 and one of his children also predeceased him.
He died on April 29, 2008, at the age of 102, due to a heart attack.
Trivia
After his retirement he served as a member of the Nobel Prize Committee.
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Albert Hofmann biography timelines
- // 11th Jan 1906Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland, on January 11, 1906. He was the eldest of four children. His father was a poor toolmaker in a factory and they lived in a rented apartment. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, and grew up with a very deep connection with nature.
- // 1938He first synthesized LSD on November 16, 1938 with an aim to obtain a respiratory and circulatory stimulant. The research was set aside for five years.
- // 16th Apr 1943He stumbled on LSD again when he was working on the ergot fungus on April 16 1943. He accidentally ate a trace of the compound and came to know about its powerful effects.
- // 19th Apr 1943On April 19, 1943, he deliberately swallowed a dose of LSD and rode his bicycle home as the effects of the drug engulfed him. That day was remembered by LSD enthusiasts as “bicycle day.”
- // 1958In 1958, Hofmann discovered ‘ethacetin’, which is an 'intoxicating tryptamine.’
- // 1962In 1962, he and his wife Anita Hofmann went to Mexico to search for the plant ‘Ska Maria Pastora’ to identify its active compound. However, he was not able to identify it at that time. It was later identified as the ‘diterpenoid salvinorin A’.
- // 1963In 1963, he attended the annual convention of the ‘World Academy of Arts and Sciences’ (WAAS) in Stockholm.
- // 1969Albert Hofmann received the title D.Sc. (honoris causa) in 1969 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
- // 1971He stayed with Sandoz Laboratories as head of the research department for natural medicines until he retired in 1971.
- // 1971In 1971, the Swedish Pharmaceutical Association (Sveriges Farmacevtförbund) gave him the Scheele Award. It’s an award which commemorates the achievements of Carl Wilhelm Scheele, the Swedish Pomeranian chemist and pharmacist.
- // 1996He delivered a speech at the 1996 Worlds of Consciousness Conference in Heidelberg, Germany.
- // 2007In a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses published by The Telegraph newspaper in 2007, he shared first place, together with Tim Berners-Lee.
- // 29th Apr 2008He died on April 29, 2008, at the age of 102, due to a heart attack.
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Albert Hofmann's FAQ
What is Albert Hofmann birthday?
Albert Hofmann was born at 1906-01-11
When was Albert Hofmann died?
Albert Hofmann was died at 2008-04-29
Where was Albert Hofmann died?
Albert Hofmann was died in Berg
Where is Albert Hofmann's birth place?
Albert Hofmann was born in Baden
What is Albert Hofmann nationalities?
Albert Hofmann's nationalities is Swiss
Who is Albert Hofmann spouses?
Albert Hofmann's spouses is Anita Hofmann
Who is Albert Hofmann childrens?
Albert Hofmann's childrens is Andreas, Beatrice, Dieter, Gaby
What was Albert Hofmann universities?
Albert Hofmann studied at University of Zurich
Who is Albert Hofmann's father?
Albert Hofmann's father is Adolf Hofmann
Who is Albert Hofmann's mother?
Albert Hofmann's mother is Elisabeth Schenk
What is Albert Hofmann's sun sign?
Albert Hofmann is Capricorn
How famous is Albert Hofmann?
Albert Hofmann is famouse as The First Person to Synthesize LSD