Rachel Brown

Rachel Fuller Brown (1898-1980) was an American biochemist. She helped to discover the first effective antifungal drug for humans, Nystatin, the most important discovery in drugs since penicillin two decades earlier.

She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts but moved to Missouri as a child. Her parents were Annie Fuller and George Hamilton Brown; he was a real estate and insurance agent. In 1912, her father left the family, and her mother moved back to Springfield.

A retired headteacher gave her a collection of insects, inspiring an interest in science. Henrietta Dexter, a wealthy family friend, paid for her to go to Mount Holyoke College. Initially she opted to concentrate on history, but later decided to take a combined history and chemistry major. After graduating in 1920, she got more funding from Mrs Dexter, allowing her to go to the University of Chicago. She completed a thesis in organic chemistry and bacteriology in 1926, though bureaucratic delays meant that she was not awarded her Ph.D. until 1933.

She then studied antibiotics. Although penicillin could cure many infections, it had no effect on fungal infections. In 1948, Brown joined Elizabeth Hazen on a research project in mycology. In 1950, Brown and Hazen produced two antifungal agents from an antibiotic. By 1954, they had developed Nystatin, the first fungicide safe for humans. Nystatin was immediately used nationwide, earning $135,000 in the first year and millions more before her death. However, Brown and Hazen refused to accept any royalties; instead, other than repaying Mrs Dexter for her generosity, they used the money to establish a foundation to support advances in science.

Brown retired in 1968 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the New York State Department of Health. In 1975, Brown and Hazen became the first women to receive the Chemical Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Chemists.

A devout Episcopalian, Brown became the first-ever female vestry (administrator) member of her Episcopalian church.