Helen Wendler Deane

Helen Wendler Markham ( Deane; 1917 – 1966) was an American histochemist and histophysiologist. She researched the cytology and histology of the liver, ovaries, and adrenal glands. She was a professor at Harvard Medical School, where she was the first woman professor in the department of anatomy. She later taught at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

During her career, she published 147 journal articles and co-founded The Histochemical Society. She earned her PhD from Brown University and a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College. During McCarthyism, Deane was accused of being a Communist and was subpoenaed twice to appear before a Senate Committee chaired by William E. Jenner. Following the hearings, Harvard denied her tenure and terminated her position.

Early life and education Helen Wendler Deane was born in 1917 in Franklin, North Carolina, to Bertha and Julian Deane. Her parents were of English and German descent. She grew up in New England, attending public schools in Springfield, Massachusetts. She earned her BS cum laude from Wellesley College in 1938 where she studied zoology and was part of the Wellesley Choir. She then attended Brown University, earning her master's in biology in 1940 and her PhD in biology in 1943. In 1943 she was awarded Wellesley's Horton-Hallowell Fellowship.

Accusations of Communism Morris: Mrs. Markham, are you at the present time a member of the Communist Party? Jenner: Let the record show that the witness is consulting with counsel before answering the question. Mrs. Markham: I am going to decline to answer that question, and I should like to have the opportunity to explain why, briefly. Jenner: You may. Mrs. Markham: It is demanded that all be loyal to the Constitution, and I am certainly loyal both to its letter and to its spirit. Under the fifth amendment, everyone has the protection of due process of the law, which means knowing the specific charges leveled against him, knowing his accusers, and having the opportunity to cross-examine these accusers. That opportunity has been completely denied in these hearings. I decline to answer that question upon the ground that my answer might tend to incriminate me.

Later career Following her appearances before the Jenner Committee, Deane was denied tenure by Harvard and her position was terminated. She had difficulty finding employment.

Personal life Deane married George F. Markham in 1947.

He worked for the International Fur & Leather Workers Union and was a candidate for the state legislature with the Progressive Party. They supported humanitarian causes.