Charles Thomas Beer
Encyclopedia
Charles Thomas Beer, CM
(18 November 1915 – 15 June 2010) was a Canadian
organic chemist who helped in the discovery of Vinblastine
.
Born in Leigh, Dorset
, England
, he received a D.Phil in Chemistry from Oxford in 1948. He came to North America in the early 1950s to the department of medical research at the University of Western Ontario
to work with Robert L. Noble. Together they isolated the anti-cancer drug vinblastine from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle plant (vinca rosea) at the University of Western Ontario in 1958. The discovery of vinblastine is generally considered a milestone in the development of chemotherapy.
In 1960, he became Professor of Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia
. After his retirement, he remained an Honorary Senior Research Scientist in the department of cancer endocrinology at the British Columbia Cancer Agency.
In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
. In 2003, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(18 November 1915 – 15 June 2010) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
organic chemist who helped in the discovery of Vinblastine
Vinblastine
Vinblastine is an antimicrotubule drug used to treat certain kinds of cancer, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and testicular cancer. It is also used to treat Langerhan cell histiocytosis....
.
Born in Leigh, Dorset
Leigh, Dorset
Leigh is a village in northwest Dorset, England, six miles southwest of Sherborne. The village has a population of 509 . In a field just south of the village lie the remains of the "Miz Maze", an earthwork of uncertain origin that, centuries ago, folklore attributes to having connections with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he received a D.Phil in Chemistry from Oxford in 1948. He came to North America in the early 1950s to the department of medical research at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
to work with Robert L. Noble. Together they isolated the anti-cancer drug vinblastine from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle plant (vinca rosea) at the University of Western Ontario in 1958. The discovery of vinblastine is generally considered a milestone in the development of chemotherapy.
In 1960, he became Professor of Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. After his retirement, he remained an Honorary Senior Research Scientist in the department of cancer endocrinology at the British Columbia Cancer Agency.
In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
. In 2003, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...