Charlotte Auerbach
Charlotte Auerbach | |
|---|---|
Auerbach c. 1955 | |
| Born | 14 May 1899 |
| Died | 17 April 1994 (aged 94) |
| Citizenship | Germany, United Kingdom |
| Education | University of Würzburg University of Freiburg University of Berlin University of Edinburgh |
| Known for | Mutagenesis |
| Awards | Keith Medal (1945) Darwin Medal (1976) Mendel Medal (1977) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Genetics |
| Institutions | University of Edinburgh |
Charlotte "Lotte" Auerbach FRS FRSE (14 May 1899 – 17 March 1994) was a German geneticist who contributed to founding the science of mutagenesis. She became well known after 1942 when she discovered, with A. J. Clark and J. M. Robson, that mustard gas could cause mutations in fruit flies. She wrote 91 scientific papers, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Royal Society of London.
In 1976, she was awarded the Royal Society's Darwin Medal. Aside her scientific contributions and love of science, she was remarkable in many other ways, including her wide interests, independence, modesty, and transparent honesty.