Smith, Lee Irvin, 1891-

Lee Irvin Smith was born in Indianapolis in 1891. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard and began teaching chemistry at the University of Minnesota in 1920. He was chair of the department of organic chemistry from 1933 until 1958 when he stepped down to devote more time to research. He is best known for his synthesis of vitamin E and proving its structure and for pioneering efforts in organic chemistry. He retired in 1960.

From the guide to the Lee Irvin Smith papers, 1886-1973, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])