Frank Rose (chemist) facts for kids

Francis Leslie Rose (born June 27, 1909 – died March 3, 1988) was a brilliant British chemist. He was known to everyone as Frank Rose. He was born in Lincoln, England. Even from a young age, Frank was very talented. He taught himself to play the piano and organ. He even became an organist and choirmaster before going to university!

Frank Rose's Education

Frank went to several schools, including Lincoln City School. He was very inspired by his chemistry teacher there. When he was 16, he met Professor Frederic Kipping, a famous chemist. Professor Kipping was so impressed that he offered Frank a place at Nottingham University. Frank worked hard and earned a top degree in chemistry.

A Career in Chemistry

After university, Frank continued his studies and earned his PhD. He soon caught the eye of ICI, a big chemical company.

Developing New Medicines

In 1932, Frank joined ICI. Four years later, ICI decided to start making medicines. Frank was a key part of this new team. He loved studying how chemicals could affect living things.

One of their first big tasks was to create a new version of a drug called Prontosil. This drug was used to fight infections. Frank successfully developed a new drug called sulphamezathine.

Fighting Malaria

When World War II started, Frank's team was asked to make important drugs that were usually made in Germany. This included medicines to fight malaria. Malaria is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes. Frank and his team had great success making these drugs.

Later, the United States joined forces with the UK in a big project. They wanted to find new, safe, and easy-to-make anti-malaria drugs. Frank Rose and his colleague Frank Curd were part of this important effort.

Discovering Paludrine

Frank and Curd decided to focus on a type of chemical called pyrimidines. Even though others thought it might not work, they kept trying. They looked at many different chemicals. They noticed a pattern in the ones that worked well against malaria.

This led them to try a new type of chemical called biguanides. Frank had some experience with these from his earlier work. This turned out to be a great idea! In 1945, ICI introduced a new anti-malaria drug called paludrine. It was a major breakthrough in medicine.

Awards and Recognition

Frank Rose's amazing work was recognized by many.

• In 1957, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
• He won the Leverhulme Prize in 1975.
• In 1978, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• He also received an honorary science degree from Loughborough University in 1982.

Frank Rose's Family Life

Frank Rose met his future wife, Ailsa Buckley, in 1930. They got married in Lincoln in 1935. Their first child, Anne, sadly passed away shortly after birth. Four years later, their son Peter was born. Peter also became a good organist, just like his father!

Frank Leslie Rose passed away in his hometown on March 3, 1988. His wife, Ailsa, died in 1999.