FUNK KAZIMIERZ: (1884-1967) Polish born, American Biochemist. Funk is credited with being the first

FUNK KAZIMIERZ: (1884-1967) Polish born, American Biochemist. Funk is credited with being the first

`...to my regret, the introduction of the term vitamin in science´

 

 

FUNK KAZIMIERZ: (1884-1967) Polish born, American Biochemist. Funk is credited with being the first to formulate the concept of “vitamins” in 1912, also named by him “vital amines”. He also postulated the existence of other essential nutrients which became known as vitamins B, C and D. An excellent and lengthy T.L.S., `C. Funk´, one page, 4to, New York, 1<sup>st</sup> November 1953, on the Funk Foundation for Medical Research printed stationery, to Henri Corbiere, in French. Funk responds to four questions related to his debuts, works, discoveries and life motto forwarded by his correspondent and states in part `Une vie de plus de 50 ans de laboratoire est difficile de placer dans un cadre de quelques phrases… Mon travail était dans des directions tres variées. Vitamins, hormones, ferments….cancer, diabete, etc…. J´ai isolé la vitamina B1 active, mais un peu scindée…finalement, a mes regrets, l´introduction du terme vitamina dans la science. Le premier libre sur les vitaminas et les avitaminoses en 1913-14´ (“A life of more than 50 years in the laboratory is difficult to place in the framework of a few sentences… My work was in very varied directions. Vitamins, hormones, ferments…cancer, diabetes, etc…. I isolated the active vitamin B1, but split it a little…finally, to my regret, the introduction of the term vitamin in science. The first book on vitamins and avitaminoses in 1913-14”) Funk also refers to his situation during world war one and to his time in Berlin, London and finally New York, and before concluding and responding to the last question related to his life motto, Funk states `Mon motto actuel (qui peut subir des changements plus tard): Paix pour moi et les miens, paix pour les autres´ (“My current motto (which may change later): Peace for me and mine, peace for others”) Very small minor age wear to the edges, otherwise about VG