October 22, 1896–January 23, 1988

BY JOHN E. HALVER AND NEVIN S. SCRIMSHAW

CHARLES GLEN KING WAS A brilliant research biochemist, well known in the world for his isolation of vitamin C. Glen, as he was known by his friends, was an active pioneer researcher in the young science of nutrition. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments over a period of 10 years, he pursued and finally isolated crystalline ascorbic acid and proved it was the antiscorbutic factor for guinea pigs, and subsequently for humans. In 1942 after winning fame for his biochemical contributions to nutrition, he became the first director of the Nutrition Foundation. In this capacity he had a unique ability to identify young scientists at the beginning of their career and to provide them support through the Nutrition Foundation for their early research. As president of the International Union of Nutrition Sciences from 1950 to 1953, he introduced a system of commissions and committees that permanently converted it from a passive to a proactive organization. He was uniquely effective nationally and internationally with leaders in both the private and public sector because of his dedication and absolute integrity. King held professorships at the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University. He received honorary degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Washington State University, Drexel Institute of Technology, Denison