Herbert A. Hauptman

On February 14, 1917, Herbert Aaron Hauptman was born in New York City, New York. He went on to become a mathematician and co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in developing mathematical methods that revolutionized crystallography, specifically the direct methods he developed that allowed for the determination of crystal structures.

On June 10, 1940, Herbert A. Hauptman married Edith Citrynell. They would later have two daughters, Barbara and Carol. Edith was a supportive partner throughout Herbert’s career, accompanying him during his postdoctoral work and supporting his scientific achievements. They remained married until his death.

In 1943, Herbert A. Hauptman joined the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. During his time there, he worked on mathematical problems that pertained to acoustic systems. This was one of his first significant positions wherein he applied his mathematical expertise to complex scientific problems.

In 1955, Herbert A. Hauptman published a groundbreaking paper titled 'Solution of the Phase Problem. I. The Centrosymmetric Crystal' with Jerome Karle. This work was crucial in the development of direct methods for crystal structure determination, which transformed the field of X-ray crystallography and the methodology used for solving complex molecular structures.

In 1970, Herbert A. Hauptman began his long-term association with the Medical Foundation of Buffalo, where he became a Research Scientist. His work at the foundation led to significant advancements in the field of crystallography. He soon became known for his pioneering work in crystal and molecular structure determination.

On December 10, 1985, Herbert A. Hauptman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Jerome Karle for their outstanding contributions to the development of direct methods for the determination of crystal structures. Their pioneering work made it possible to solve the phase problem in X-ray crystallography, allowing for more precise and accurate structural analyses of complex molecules.

Herbert A. Hauptman played a crucial role in founding the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute in 1991, which stemmed from the earlier activities under the Medical Foundation of Buffalo. The institute focuses on utilizing crystallography and structural biology techniques to advance medical research and drug discovery.

In 1994, Herbert A. Hauptman was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, a significant honor recognizing his substantial contributions to the field of science, particularly in crystallography. His innovative work on the mathematical process of solving crystal structures had a profound impact on molecular biology and chemistry.

In 2003, Herbert A. Hauptman published a significant work titled 'On the Theories of Phase Determination and Direct Methods.' This publication delved into the insights and methodologies that he and his colleagues developed over the years, providing a comprehensive overview of the breakthrough techniques in crystallography.

Herbert A. Hauptman passed away on October 23, 2011, at the age of 94 in Buffalo, New York. His death marked the end of a prolific career in mathematics and chemistry, during which he had made foundational contributions to crystallography. Hauptman's legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute.