About Karl August Folkers
Lived 1906 – 1997 (aged 91). Karl August Folkers was an American biochemist and chemist, known for Vitamin B-12.
Career Folkers graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois in 1928. In 1986, the institution awarded him its Alumni Achievement Award. As a Merck Pharmaceuticals research team, Folkers, Fern P. Rathe, and Edward Anthony Kaczka were the first to isolate the antibiotic cathomycin in 1955. His team also isolated the antibiotic cycloserine. In 1958 his Merck team determined the structure of coenzyme Q10.
He later served as director of the Institute of Biomedical Research at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was also Ashbel Smith Professor of Chemistry.
In recognition for his scientific contributions, he received the Perkin Medal in 1960, the William H. Nichols Medal in 1967, the Priestley Medal in 1986, and the National Medal of Science in 1990.
Legacy The plant species Erythrina folkersii is named after Folkers.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Karl August Folkers?
American biochemist (1906–1997)
When was Karl August Folkers born?
Karl August Folkers was born on 1 September 1906 in Decatur.
When did Karl August Folkers die?
Karl August Folkers died on 7 December 1997 in New London.
What was Karl August Folkers's occupation?
Karl August Folkers was a biochemist and chemist.
What was Karl August Folkers known for?
Karl August Folkers was known for Vitamin B-12.
What nationality was Karl August Folkers?
Karl August Folkers was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Karl August Folkers
· DBpedia: Karl August Folkers
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Karl August Folkers. https://biography.guide/karl-august-folkers/
MLA: "Karl August Folkers." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/karl-august-folkers/.
Chicago: "Karl August Folkers." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/karl-august-folkers/.
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