Charles Robert Harington

Sir Charles Robert Harington, FRS (1 August 1897 - 4 February 1972) was a chemist, best known for synthesizing thyroxine. Although he was born and lived in Wales, he was a member of the English aristocracy from the distinguished Harington family, Harington Baronets which can be traced back to 12th century Rutland (then Cumberland). He was professor of pathological chemistry at University College London between 1931 and 1942, then and director of the National Institute for Medical Research between 1942 and 1962. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1931. One of his PhD pupils at UCL was Albert Neuberger, later Professor of Chemical Pathology at St Mary's Hospital, University of London.