William L. Brown

William Lacy Brown (July 16, 1913 – March 8, 1991) was an American geneticist notable for breeding programs in maize, sorghum, soybeans and wheat. He was president, chairman and chief executive of Pioneer Hi-Bred International. The National Academies Press said that Brown "made significant and lasting contributions to increasing and stabilizing food production worldwide".

Career and life Brown received his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1941. For almost his entire career of 40 years, he was with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, one of the world's largest manufacturers of hybrid seed corn.

Awards and distinctions Fellow, American Society of Agronomy, 1970 Fellow, Iowa Academy of Science, 1970 Fellow, Drake University, 1970 Agronomic Service Award, American Society of Agronomy, 1979 Distinguished Fellow, Iowa Academy of Science, 1980 Distinguished Alumni Award, Bridgewater College, 1980 Member, National Academy of Sciences, 1980 Honorary Phi Beta Kappa, Drake University, 1981 President, Crop Science Society of America, 1982 Distinguished Economic Botanist, Society for Economic Botany, 1982 Distinguished Alumni Award, Washington University in St. Louis, 1983 Genetics and Plant Breeding Award for Industry, Crop Science Society of America, 1986 Henry Shaw Medal, Missouri Botanical Garden, 1986 Honorary D.Sc., Drake University, 1987 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1989 Honorary Ph.D., West Virginia University, 1989