John Cornforth

Cornforth was largely responsible for the first total synthesis of a natural steroid. His main achievement (largely in conjunction with George Popjak) was to define the route of biosynthesis to the biologically highly significant cholesterol molecule. This work emphasised the stereochemistry of biological reactions and of enzymic specificities, and the close relationships of biochemical reactions to basic chemical theories. It was for this more general aspect that he was awarded a Nobel Prize. His work has been characterised by an almost unexampled sophistication of experimental conception, which probably as much as the actual achievements have roused the admiration of both chemists and biochemists. It is fitting that the Academy honour an Australian, despite his long residence abroad. He has been sufficiently interested in his homeland to provide a number of opportunities for Australians to work in the U.K. and has also spent two periods as a Visiting Fellow in the Australian National University.

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