James W. Black
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Sir James Whyte Black, OM, FRS (born 14 July 1924) is a Scottish born Pharmacologist who invented Propranolol, synthesized Cimetidine and received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1988 for these landmark discoveries.
Black was educated at the University of St Andrews, where he studied biology. He then lectured at the University of Malaya, University of Glasgow (Veterinary School), and became a professor at University College, London and at King's College, London. In addition to his 1988 nobel prize he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1976 the same year he was awarded the Lasker award, which is often called "america`s nobel". He was also created a Knight Bachelor in 1981.
In 2000 Sir James was appointed to the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II. The order is limited to only 24 persons and is the highest honour the monarch can bestow.
Sir James Black contributed to basic scientific and clinical knowledge in cardiology, both as a physician and as a basic scientist. His invention of propranolol the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist that revolutionized the medical management of angina pectoris, is considered to be one of the most important contributions to clinical medicine and pharmacology of the 20th century. His method of research, his discoveries about adrenergic pharmacology, and his clarification of the mechanisms of cardiac action are all strengths of his work.
Sir James is the Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
External Link
- Or is this our national hero? (http://www.sundayherald.com/39426) Scottish Sunday Herald article
References
- Nobel e-Museum autobiography (http://www.nobelprize.org/medicine/laureates/1988/black-autobio.html)