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Francis Gano Benedict

Born  1870
Died  1957

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American physiologist and nutritionist, born October 3, 1870, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; died April 14, 1957, Machiasport, Maine.

Biography of Francis Gano Benedict

Francis Gano Benedict was recognized as one of the world's foremost investigators in the field of respiratory metabolism. He was the son of Washington Gano and Harriet Emily (Barrett) Benedict. When he was seven years old his family moved to Florida and four years later to Boston. Here he received his high school education, studied chemistry for one year at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and then entered Harvard University, where he studied chemistry with Josiah Parsons Cooke (1827-1894). He received his AB from Harvard in 1893, his AM in 1894.

He completed his PhD studies, magna cum laude at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and received his doctorate in 1895. He continued his graduate studies at Heidelberg, chiefly under Victor Meyer, and obtained the Ph.D. degree Magna cum laude in 1895. His dissertation was entitled "Ueber die Jodoniumbasen aus p-Bromjodbenzol."

All of Benedict's training had been in the field of chemistry. Upon his return to the United States in 1895 he received an appointment as research assistant in the Department of Chemistry at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, under Professor Wilbur Olin Atwater (1844-1907), a chemical physiologist. It was Atwater who encouraged Benedict to study physiology and nutrition.

In joining the staff of the Department of Chemistry at Wesleyan as an assistant to Atwater, Benedict became associated with one of the outstanding investigators of his time in the fields of agricultural and physiological chemistry and the founder of the science of nutrition in the United States.

Over a 12-year period from 1895, Atwater and Benedict conducted over 500 experiments concerning rest, exercise, and diet using the Atwater-Rosa respiration calorimeter. This contraption later became known as the Atwater-Rosa-Benedict calorimeter. Their results appeared in six bulletins of the Office of Experiment Stations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the general title Experiments on the Metabolism of Matter and Energy in the Human Body. In addition,

A series of studies which attracted wide popular as well as scientific attention dealt with the physiological action of alcohol, as reported in a Memoir of the National Academy of Sciences in 1909. It was found that alcohol could provide energy for warmth and probably for work and could protect body tissues from catabolism. The results of these studies brought a storm of criticism from temperance organizations, both of the investigators and of Wesleyan University, then a Methodist institution.

From 1895 to 1907 Benedict was a physiological chemist in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and from 1896 to 1900 he served as chemist at the Storrs Experiment Station in Connecticut. In 1897 he married Cornelia Golay of Brewster, Maine, a Vassar graduate who majored in biology. This training enabled her to share with her husband in the conduct of several physiological studies in the Nutrition Laboratory which were published jointly. She co-authored many of Benedict's published studies in physiology in later years.

While at Wesleyan, Benedict built a number of calorimeters, including the closed circuit respiration apparatus and calorimeter. As a result of his work, he was selected by the Carnegie Institution of Washington as the first director of the Boston Nutrition Laboratory in 1907, where he continued to construct calorimeters, including the Benedict Apparatus which measured basal metabolism. He held this position for 30 years.

Benedict was also involved in the development of metabolism studies based on age, sex, height, and weight, and collaborated with Elliott Proctor Joslin (1869-1962) on an intensive study of respiratory metabolism in diabetes. Traveling to Christian Bohr's laboratory in Copenhagen in 1907, he met August Krogh who won the 1920 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The next summer, Benedict accompanied Krogh to Greenland to measure excretion of Eskimos.

In 1918 Benedict joined with Professor Ernest George Ritzman (1875–) of the University of New Hampshire at Durham in devising and constructing a respiration apparatus large enough for studies with cattle. Here the investigators drew on the experience of Henry Prentiss Armsby (1853-1921) who had constructed and operated for some ten years, at Pennsylvania State College, a respiration calorimeter for farm animals. Armsby visited Durham to advice on the progress of the work. This New Hampshire apparatus for large farm animals was the first of its kind in the United States and became the forerunner of others constructed elsewhere for indirect calorimetry. The first study made dealt with undernutrition in steers. The results showed that animals which suffered heavy losses in weight during the winter on submaintenance rations could be restored to satisfactory market quality by fattening rations. This initial study was followed by ten others with cattle, sheep and swine over a period of some 15 years.

Benedict's investigations included mammals both domestic and wild, ranging in size from the 8-gram dwarf mouse to a 4,000-pound elephant. The reptiles studied included a python, alligators, lizards and tortoises. Several species and races of birds were also included in the investigations. For several of the species Benedict had to design special equipment, either respiration chambers or some type of face mask.

After retirement, Benedict turned to his lifelong interest of magic and became active on the college lecture circuit. In lectures, Benedict's art of showmanship enabled him to present his story in a very interesting manner, illustrated with lantern slides and anecdotes. Both before and after he retired he went on tours throughout the country where he lectured at various universities, on such topics as The Physiology of the Elephant, Magic and Science, Animal Metabolism from Mouse to Elephant.

Benedict was a member of the Society of American Magicians and performed professionally from 1938-1942. The Benedicts' summer house in Machiasport, Maine became their fulltime residence after Benedict's retirement although winters were spent in warmer climates

  • Leonard Amby Maynard 1887-1972):
    Francis Gano Benedict--a biographical sketch (1870-1957).
    The Journal of Nutrition, Philadelphia, May, 1969, 98 (1): 1-8.

  • E. DuBois and O. Riddle:
    Biographical memoirs.
    National Academy of Science, Washington, 1958, 32: 67-78.
    Lists some 300 of B enedict's publications

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

  • Harvard Medical Library and Boston Medical Library.
    http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~med00029.

Bibliography

  • Wilbur Olin Atwater and Francis Gano Benedict:
    Experiments on Digestion of Food by Man. 1897.
  • W. O. Atwater and F. G. Benedict:
    An experimental inquiry regarding the nutritive value of alcohol. 1902.
    Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, 1902, 8: 235-397.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The teaching of chemistry in graded and secondary schools.
    Science, Washington DC, October 9, 1903, 18 (458): 465-470.
  • Wilbur Olin Atwater and Francis Gano Benedict:
    A Respiration Calorimeter with appliances for the direct determination of oxygen. Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1905.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    The Influence of inanition on metabolism.
    Washington : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1907. Publication No. 42.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Thorne M. Carpenter (1878-1971):
    The influence of muscular and mental work on metabolism and the efficiency of the human body as a machine.
    U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Experimental Stations. Bulletin No. 208, 1909. Government Printing Office, Washington.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    A disclaimer. Science, January 15, 1909, 29 (733): 107-108.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    Russian research in metabolism.
    Science, March 5, 1909, 29 (740): 394-395.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Thorne M. Carpenter:
    Respiration calorimeters for studying the respiratory exchange and energy transformations of man.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1910. Publication No. 123.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Thorne M. Carpenter:
    The metabolism and energy transformations of healthy man during rest.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1910. Publication No. 126.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Edgar P. Slack:
    A comparative Study of temperature fluctuations in different parts of the human body.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1912.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    The Composition of the atmosphere, with special reference to its oxygen content. Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1912. Publication No. 166.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Walter G. Cady:
    A Bicycle Ergometer with an electric brake.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1912, Publication No. 167.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    An experiment on a fasting man.
    Science, Washington, May 31, 1912, 35 (909): 865.
  • Edward-P. Cathcart and Francis G. Benedict:
    Muscular Work, a metabolic study with special reference to the efficiency of the human body as a machine.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1913. Publication No. 187.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Fritz B. Talbot:
    The gaseous Metabolism of infants, with special reference to its relation to pulse-rate and muscular activity.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1914, Publication No. 201.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    A study of prolonged fasting.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1915, Publication No. 203.
  • F. G. Benedict, P. Roth.
    The Basal Caloric Output of Vegetarians as Compared with that of Non-Vegetarians of Like Weight and Height.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February 1915, 1 (2): 100-101.
  • F. G. Benedict, H. M. Smith:
    The Influence of Athletic Training Upon Basal Metabolism.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February 1915, 1 (2): 102-103.
  • Benedict FG, Emmes LE.
    A Comparison of the Basal Metabolism of Normal Men and Women.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February 1915, 1 (2): 104-105.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The Factors Affecting Normal Basal Metabolism.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February 1915, 1 (2): 105-109.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    Chemical and Physiological Studies of a Man Fasting Thirtyone Days.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, April 1915, 1 (4): 228-231.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    Investigations at the nutrition laboratory of the carnegie institution of washington, Boston, massachusetts.
    Science, Washington, July 16, 1915, 42 (1072): 75-84.
  • F. G. Benedict, H. Murschhauser:
    Energy Transformations during Horizontal Walking.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1915, 1 (12): 597-600.
  • F. G. Benedict, F. B. Talbot:
    The Physiology of the New-Born Infant.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1915, 1 (12): 600-602.
  • R. Dodge, F. G. Benedict:
    Neuro-Muscular Effects of Moderate Doses of Alcohol.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1915, 1 (12): 605-608.
  • Francis G. Benedict and H. Monmouth Smith
    The metabolism of athletes as compared with normal individuals of similar height and weight. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Baltimore, 1915 20: 243-252.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    A respiration apparatus for small animals.
    The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Baltimore, 1915 20: 301-313.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The alcohol program of the nutrition laboratory with special reference to psychological effects of moderate doses of alcohol on man.
    Science, June 30, 1916, 43 (1122): 907-917.
  • Francis G. Benedict: and Thorne M. Carpenter:
    Food Ingestion and energy transformations with special reference to the stimulating of nutrients.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1918, Publication No. 261.
  • F. G. Benedict, P. Roth:
    Effects of a Prolonged Reduction in Diet on 25 Men: I. Influence on Basal Metabolism and Nitrogen Excretion.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1918, 4 (6): 149-152.
  • J. A. Harris, F. G. Benedict:
    A Biometric Study of Human Basal Metabolism.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1918, 4 (12): 370-373.
  • F. G. Benedict, W. R. Miles, Johnson A.
    The Temperature of the Human Skin.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1919, 5 (6): 218-222.
  • J. Arthur Harris and Francis G. Benedict
    A biometric Study of basal metabolism in man.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1919, Publication No. 279.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The Basal Metabolism of Boys from 1 to 13 Years of Age.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January 1920, 6 (1): 7-10.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    Professor Pawlow. Science, Washington, March 5, 1920, 51 (1314): 243-244.
  • F. G. Benedict, M. F. Hendry, M. L. Baker:
    The Basal Metabolism of Girls 12 to 17 Years of Age.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January 1921, 7 (1): 10-13.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The Augustus and Alice Waller memorial.
    Science, February 1, 1924, 59 (1518): 125-126.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. L. Fox, M. L. Baker:
    The Skin Temperature of Pachyderms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, May 1921, 7 (5): 154-156.
  • F. G. Benedict, Ernest George Ritzman (1875-:
    Undernutrition and Its Influence on the Metabolic Plane of Steers.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January 1923, 9 (1): 23-25.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Ernest G. Ritzman:
    Undernutrition in steers, its relation to metabolism, digestion, and subsequent realimentation.
    Washington DC : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1923, Publication No. 324.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The research spirit in modern life.
    Science, September 5, 1924, 60 (1549): 207-214.
  • F. G. Benedict, Cornelia Golay Benedict:
    The Neutral Bath and Its Relation to Body Heat.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1924, 10 (12): 495-498.
  • F. G. Benedict, C. G. Benedict.
    Body Posture and Minor Muscular Movements as Affecting Heat Production.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, December 1924, 10(12): 498-500.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    A quotation from Hippocrates. Science, April 24, 1925, 61 (1582): 444.
  • G. Macleod, E. E. Crofts, F. G. Benedict:
    The Racial Factor in Metabolism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1925, 11 (6): 342-343.
  • C. G. Benedict, F. G. Benedict, E. F. Bois:
    Human Metabolism in an Environment of Heated Air.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, July 1925, 11 (7): 371-373.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    Skin Temperature and Heat Loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, September 1925, 11 (9): 549-552.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. E. Crofts:
    The Fixity of Basal Metabolism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, October 1925, 11 (10): 585-588.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. G. Ritzman.
    The Fasting of Large Ruminants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, March 1927, 13 (3): 125-131.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. G. Ritzman.
    The Basal Metabolism of Steers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, March 1927, 13 (3): 132-136.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. G. Ritzman.
    The Metabolic Stimulus of Food in the Case of Steers.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, March 1927, 13 (3): 136-140.
  • F. G. Benedict, C. G. Benedict.
    The Nature of the Insensible Perspiration.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1927, 13 (6): 364-369.
  • F. G. Benedict, C. G. Benedict. C. G. Benedict:
    The energy requirements of intense mental effort. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 15, 1930, 16 (6): 438-443.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. L. Fox:
    Body Temperature and Heat Regulation of Large Snakes.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, October 1931, 17 (10): 584-587.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. L. Fox, V. Coropatchinsky:
    The Incubating Python: A Temperature Study.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, February 1932, 18 (2): 209-212.
  • F. G. Benedict:
    The Physiology of large reptiles, with special reference to the heat production of snakes, tortoises, lizards and alligators.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1932. Publication No. 425.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Cornelia Golay Benedict:
    Mental effort in relation to gaseous exchange, heart rate, and mechanics of respiration.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1933. Publication No. 446.
  • F. G. Benedict, H. F. Root.
    The Potentialities of Extreme Old Age. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1934, 20 (6): 389-393.
  • F. G. Benedict, E. G. Ritzman:
    Lability of the Basal Metabolism of the Dairy Cow.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1935, 21 (6): 304-308.
  • F. G. Benedict, J. M. Bruhn:
    Chimpanzee Metabolism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1936, 22 (6): 394-397.
  • F. G. Benedict, R. C. Lee:
    Studies on the Body Temperature of Elephants.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, June 1936, 22 (6): 405-408.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    The Physiology of the elephant.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution.1938. Publication No. 474.
  • Robert C. Lee and Francis G. Benedict:
    Lipogenesis in the animal body : With special reference to the physiology of the goose.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution.1938. Publication No. 489.
  • Francis G. Benedict:
    Vital Energetics: A Study in Comparative Basal Metabolism.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution.1938. Publication No. 503.
  • Francis G. Benedict and Robert C. Lee:
    Hibernation and marmot physiology.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution.1938. Publication No. 497.
  • Ernest G. Ritzman and Francis G. Benedict:
    Nutritional physiology of the adult ruminant.
    Washington DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1938. Publication No. 494.

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