Oliver H. Lowry Oral History

Interviewee

Oliver H. Lowry

Interviewer

Darryl Podoll

Files

Summary

Oliver H. Lowry was interviewed by Darryl Podoll on June 16, 1972, for approximately 7 minutes. Lowry discusses the life and work of Helen Tredway Graham.

Scope and Content

Lowry discusses the life and work of Helen Tredway Graham, a member of the department of pharmacology of the Washington University School of Medicine from 1925-1971. Lowry discusses their work together studying histamines.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Oliver H. Lowry was born in Chicago and received his master's degree and doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Chicago. He initially lectured at Harvard Medical School, where in 1939 he published his first scientific paper. He worked at the Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York from 1942 to 1947, then moved to Washington University, where he headed the department of pharmacology for the next 29 years and, in the late 1950s, was also dean of the medical school. Also in the 50s, Lowry found a way of isolating, preparing, weighing, and chemically studying single nerve cells and sub-cellular particles. He pioneered freeze-drying methods to preserve cells and invented a micro-balance that could register less than a millionth of a gram. Dr. Lowry's early paper on the measurement of protein became one of the most frequently cited studies in scientific literature. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1957 and to the National Academy of Sciences in 1964. He retired a distinguished professor emeritus of molecular biology and pharmacology.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Darryl Podoll was an archivist at Washington University School of Medicine Library in the 1970s. He moved to North Dakota where he served as the library director of the Allen Memorial Library at the Valley City State University from 1985-2004.

Interview Date

1972-06-16

Collection Identifier

OH012

Length

Approximately 7 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Oliver H. Lowry Oral History, OH012, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

The audio quality of the interview is poor.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.