In 1922, the Board of Regents voted (on advice from the Dean of the Medical School, Hugh Cabot) to separate the Physiological Chemistry unit from the Department of Bacteriology, Physiological Chemistry and Hygiene. Howard Bishop Lewis was appointed to the first chair of the new department. Lewis, also served as the Director of the College of Pharmacy from 1933 until 1947.
Frederick G. Novy was chair of the composite department and had taught Physiological Chemistry at the University since 1891. Even after the new department was formed, he insisted that it keep its historical name, and it was not until Novy's retirement in 1935 that the department became Biological Chemistry.
Halvor Christensen chaired the department in 1955 and remained until 1970. Minor J. Coon was appointed chairman in 1971, and then Jack E. Dixon in 1991.
From the guide to the Department of Biological Chemistry (University of Michigan) publications, 1978-2001, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
