Thudichum , Johann Ludwig Wilhelm , 1829-1901 , neurochemist also known as Thudichum , John Lewis William , 1829-1901

Born, Büdingen, Germany, 1829; met the chemist Julius Liebig in 1847; medical student, University of Giessen, 1847; worked in Liebig's laboratory, developing a keen interest in biological chemistry; emigrated to London, 1853, during the war between Prussia and Denmark; physician at St Pancras Dispensary, 1856; practiced medicine throughout his life as an otologist and rhinologist; invented a nasal speculum; lecturer in chemistry at the Grosvenor Place School of Medicine, 1858; later director of a pathological and chemical laboratory; published his first book on the analysis of urine, 1858; Lecturer on Pathological Chemistry at St Thomas's Hospital, 1865; chemist to the medical department of the Privy Council, 1866; began to investigate the effects of cholera on the brain and research into his major original work on the chemical constitution of the brain; discovered hematoporphyria, the brain cephalius, galactose, glucose, lactic acid, cerebranic sulfatides and many other chemicals, conducted research in his private laboratory from 1871; published the first English edition of Treatise on the chemical constitution of the brain, 1884; a controversial figure and many colleagues disputed his findings; considered to be the founder of neurochemistry; died, London, 1901.

Publications: Treatise on the chemical constitution of the brain (Baillière, Tindall and Cox, London, 1884); The progress of Medical Chemistry. comprising its application to: Physiology, pathology and the practice of medicine (Bailliere, Tindall and Cox., 1896); some 80 major scientific publications.