There isn't one single "father" of vitamin A in the sense of a single discoverer. The identification and understanding of vitamin A was a process involving many scientists over several decades. However, we can highlight key contributors:
Key Figures in Vitamin A Research:
-
Elmer McCollum: While not directly identifying the chemical structure, McCollum's early research played a crucial role in establishing the existence of fat-soluble A, a vital nutrient preventing diseases like rickets and xerophthalmia. https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/the-birth-of-vitamin-a/ mentions McCollum's work.
-
Paul Karrer: In 1932, Karrer determined the chemical structure of vitamin A, a monumental step in understanding its function. This was a crucial breakthrough in the scientific understanding of this nutrient.
-
Harry Holmes and Ruth Corbet: These scientists isolated and crystallized vitamin A in 1937, further solidifying its identification and paving the way for synthesis.
-
David Adriaan van Dorp and Jozef Ferdinand Arens (1946) and Otto Isler and colleagues (1947): These researchers developed methods for the synthesis of vitamin A, a major advancement that enabled the mass production of this essential vitamin.
The discovery and development of our understanding of vitamin A was a collaborative effort. While no one person can claim sole credit as "the father," these scientists made significant contributions at various stages of its discovery and characterization.
