Gerhard Domagk
Domagk, Gerhard (1895–1964), a German biochemist. In 1935 he reported his discovery that prontosil, a new dye, had antibacterial effects. The active agent, sulfanilamide, first of the sulfa drugs, was identified the next year. Domagk was awarded the 1939 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine but declined it at the order of the Nazi government. Domagk completed his studies at the University of Kiel in 1921, after serving in World War I. He lectured at the University of Münster for many years and also did research for chemical companies. At the time he made his discovery he was a director of research for I. G. Farben.