Pill Power
Legendary chemist and writer Carl Djerassi returns to Kenyon College for a short series of public events on October 22-23, including a staged reading of his play Insufficiency.
Djerassi '43 H'58 is widely known as one of the creators of the birth-control pill and his work as an organic chemist has included development of the first antihistamine treatment for allergies as well as biodegradable pest control. He is also a novelist, playwright and poet, with an emphasis on what he calls science-in-fiction writing. His science-infused ninth play, Insufficiency, is now on stage at the Riverside Theatre in London, where it has been well-received.
Djerassi returns to the campus for these events:
· He will discuss "From the Pill to the Pen" on Monday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Finn House.
· "A Conversation with Carl Djerassi" is set for Tuesday, October 23, at 11:10 a.m. at the Gund Gallery Community Foundation Theater.
· Staged reading of Insufficiency on Tuesday, October 23, at 8:00 p.m. at Bolton Theater.
Djerassi, who is eighty-eight years old, came to the United States from his native Austria after fleeing Nazi persecution in the years leading to World War II. He is a professor emeritus of chemistry at Stanford University, a former president of research at Syntex Laboratories, and founder of Zoecon, a pest-control company later sold to Occidental Petroleum. He is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Djerassi is also a collector of fine art.
In a recent interview with the Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin, Djerassi reflected on his work in helping to synthesize progestin that led to an oral contraceptive. "The social impact remains very important," he said. "It has empowered millions of women who are able to control the timing of reproduction."
The public is encouraged to attend these free events. Call 740-427-5693 to learn more about Djerassi's visit.