The campfire stories of Russell Marker, a pioneer of chemistry

Abstract

The maverick American chemist Russell Earl Marker (1902–1995) is known for his studies on the fragmentation of organic mercury compounds, establishing the concept of the octane number, investigating the rearrangements of hydrocarbons and exploring the relationship between optical rotation and the configuration of organic compounds. His greatest achievement, however, is the elaboration of seminal isolation and synthetic methods of an important class of natural products that helped found a new industry, based on the pharmaceutical chemistry of steroids. The nomadic life of this extraordinary man demonstrates that the enormous obstacles thwarting the progress of science and technology can be surmounted by serendipity, acumen and devotion. However, his premature retirement from chemistry is a warning sign that every scientist is vulnerable and even the toughest man's perseverance can fade if the conditions worsen.