Life does depend on accurate replication of molecules, and its complexity often requires that an enzyme shall accept one molecular species or type and transform it to equally specific products. John Cornforth Read Quote
The essential principles of the three-dimensional structure of organic molecules had been correctly formulated by the first Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Jacobus van’t Hoff, as early as 1874. John Cornforth Read Quote
At the National Institute for Medical Research, I came into contact with biological scientists and formed collaborative projects with several of them. In particular, George Popjak and I shared an interest in cholesterol. John Cornforth Read Quote
My old friend Vlado Prelog has asked me to offer, from both of us, our thanks to the Royal Academy of Sciences and to the Nobel Foundation for the honour conferred on us. John Cornforth Read Quote
In 1967, I had formed a collaboration with Hermann Eggerer, then of Muenchen, and together, we solved the problem of the ‘asymmetric methyl group’ and applied the solution in some of the many ways that have proved possible. John Cornforth Read Quote
The total loss of hearing was a process that lasted more than a decade, but it was sufficiently gradual for me to attend Sydney Boys’ High School and to profit from the teaching there. John Cornforth Read Quote
Part of my childhood was spent in Sydney and part in rural New South Wales, at Armidale. John Cornforth Read Quote
I started doing experiments – mostly in organic chemistry, because it was so much more interesting – in my mother’s laundry at home. John Cornforth Read Quote
After a year of post-graduate research, I won an 1851 Exhibition scholarship to work at Oxford with Robert Robinson. Two such scholarships were awarded each year, and the other was won by Rita Harradence, also of Sydney and also an organic chemist. John Cornforth Read Quote
Throughout my scientific career, my wife has been my most constant collaborator. Her experimental skill made major contributions to the work; she has eased for me beyond measure the difficulties of communication that accompany deafness; her encouragement and fortitude have been my strongest supports. John Cornforth Read Quote
