University’s Tribute to Nobel Prizewinning Scientist

Birmingham University yesterday paid tribute to one of its former graduates, Nobel prizewinner Sir John Vane, who discovered the lifesaving qualities of a daily dose of aspirin.

Worcestershire-born Sir John, who has died aged 77, was one of the most outstanding scientists of the 20th Century.

He shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1982 after he demystified one of medical science’s conundrums: how aspirin works. The pharmacologist’s discovery saves millions each year from heart attacks and strokes. Two years later he was knighted for his services to pharmaceutical science.

His love of experiments started as a hobby when, as a 12-year- old pupil at King Edward VI High School, Edgbaston, he was given a chemistry set as a Christmas present.

In his autobiography, he wrote: ‘The chemistry set meant that experiments soon became a consuming passion in my life.

‘At first I was able to use a Bunsen burner attached to my mother’s gas stove, but the use of the kitchen as a laboratory came to an abrupt end. A minor explosion splattered the newly painted decor and changed the colour from blue to green!’ Soon after Maurice Vane, who ran a building firm, built his son a laboratory in the garden shed fitted with a bench, gas and water.

In 1944 John gained a place to study chemistry at Birmingham University.

Dr Peter Byers, head of the university’s school of chemistry, said yesterday he was a greatly-admired scientist who would be fondly missed.

He said: ‘Sir John Vane was an outstanding academic who made many advances in the field of pharmacology during his long and distinguished career.

‘The university is proud to name him as a chemistry alumnus and are deeply saddened by his death.’ After graduating from Birmingham in 1946, Sir John went on to work in the department of pharmacology at the Royal College of Surgeons.

The college’s chief executive, Craig Duncan, said: ‘His research in the department of pharmacology at the college was internationally renowned.’

Sir John Vane died of pneumonia on November 19. He is survived by his wife Daphne and his two daughters Nikki and Miranda.