About this Collection

Albert Imre Szent-Gyorgyi (1893-1986), a Hungarian-born biochemist, was the first to isolate vitamin C, and his research on biological oxidation provided the basis for Krebs' citric acid cycle. His discoveries about the biochemical nature of muscular contraction revolutionized the field of muscle research. His later career was devoted to research in "submolecular" biology, applying quantum physics to biological processes. He was especially interested in cancer, and was one of the first to explore the connections between free radicals and cancer. Szent-Gyorgyi won the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in biological oxidation and vitamin C, and the Lasker Award in Basic Medical Research in 1954, for contributions to understanding cardiovascular disease through basic muscle research.

The Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory Library is the repository for the Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Papers, which range from 1894 to 1995. The collection contains photographs, oral history interviews, published articles, video recordings, and lectures.

As part of its Profiles in Science project, the National Library of Medicine has made available online, in collaboration with the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory Library, a digitized selection of the Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Papers. This website provides access to the portions of the Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Papers that are now publicly available. Individuals interested in conducting research using the full collection of Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Papers should contact the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory Library.

This Profile is designed to introduce you to the various phases of Szent-Gyorgyi's scientific career and professional life. Narrative sections available from the navigation bar under "The Story" focus on Szent-Gyorgyi's life and major scientific contributions.

Researchers can search the digitized items using the Search box or browse all Documents and Visuals in the collection by selecting "Collection Items" from the navigation bar.