Marguerite Davis facts for kids

Marguerite Davis (born September 16, 1887 – died September 19, 1967) was an American scientist who studied biochemistry. She is famous for helping to discover Vitamin A and Vitamin B in 1913. She worked with another scientist named Elmer McCollum. Their discoveries changed how we understand healthy eating and nutrition.

Early Life and Education

Marguerite Davis was born on September 16, 1887, in Racine, Wisconsin. Her father, Jefferson J. Davis, was a doctor and botanist. He also taught at the University of Wisconsin.

When she was ten, Marguerite had a serious accident that caused her to have a physical handicap. Despite this, she was very interested in science.

In 1906, she started studying at the University of Wisconsin. She later moved to the University of California at Berkeley. In 1910, she earned her bachelor's degree in home economics. After graduating, she returned to the University of Wisconsin. There, she began working as a research assistant with Elmer McCollum.

Discovering Vitamins A and B

Marguerite Davis worked closely with Elmer McCollum. She helped him care for a large group of rats used in their experiments. She also helped him do many more experiments than he could have done alone.

They were trying to find out what essential substances in food help animals grow and stay healthy. They called these substances "vitamines."

In 1913, Davis and McCollum made a big discovery. They found a substance in fats that was vital for life. They called it "fat-soluble A." They also studied another important substance found in water, which they called "water-soluble B."

After a lot of research using rats, these substances were later renamed Vitamin A and Vitamin B. Their discovery of these two vitamins opened the door for much more research into nutrition. It helped scientists understand how different foods affect our health.

Their findings were first published in a science paper in 1913. It was titled "The Necessity of Certain Lipids in the Diet during Growth."

Marguerite Davis worked in McCollum's lab from 1909 to 1916. For five of those years, she worked without pay. In her final year, she received $600.

Career and Later Life

Marguerite Davis helped start the nutrition laboratory at the University of Wisconsin. This lab became very important for studying food and health.

Later, she moved to New Jersey for a short time. She worked for the Squibb Pharmaceutical Company. She also helped Rutgers University create its own nutrition lab.

In 1940, Marguerite Davis retired from her scientific work. She moved back to her hometown of Racine to live with her brother. In retirement, she enjoyed studying history and gardening. She was also very active in her local community.

In 1958, Racine's Women's Civic Council honored her for her contributions to the community. Marguerite Davis passed away in Racine on September 19, 1967, just after her 80th birthday.

See also

In Spanish: Marguerite Davis para niños