Max Perutz is an Austria-born biochemist who worked in Great Britain for the majority of his career.
Max Ferdinand Perutz was born in Vienna, into a large family of successful industrialists. Both of his parents were members of affluent families of textile manufacturers who had made their fortunes in the 19th century when spinning and weaving became mechanized.
Perutz developed an interest in chemistry due the encouragement of a schoolmaster. This interest compelled him to obtain a degree in chemistry from the University of Vienna where he changed his focus to biochemistry.
In 1936 Max Perutz arrived in Cambridge for PhD from Vienna as a hopeful 22- year graduate student, and he never left.
His excellent research skill earned Perutz a fellowship to continue studying at Cambridge University where he also was offered employment.
In October 1947 Perutz and John Kendrew established the Medical Council Unit for Research on the Molecular Structure of Biological Systems, late rename Molecular Biology Research Unit.
In 1962 Max Perutz received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his X-ray crystallography determination of the structure of the hemoglobin molecule.
The Queen made him a Companion of Honor in 1975 and awarded him the Order of Merit in 1988.
Biography of Max Perutz (19 May 1914 – 6 February 2002)
