Nelson J. Leonard, one of the most important chemists of the twentieth century, was not only a master in the application of organic synthesis to the solution of important problems in chemistry, biochemistry, and plant physiology, but very highly regarded as a professional colleague.
Leonard was born on September 1, 1916, grew up in Bronxville, New York, and attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, before moving to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. The beginning of World War II in September 1939 forced Leonard's return to the United States. Chemistry was not the only part...