Papers of Joseph W. Corse
Scope and Content
The Papers of Joseph W. Corse contain materials regarding the biosynthesis of penicillin by scientists at Eli Lilly & Company, which was conducted under the auspices of the United States Committee on Medical Research. The materials in this collection were collected and maintained by Joseph W. Corse, an American chemist and Eli Lilly employee, who served on the team of scientists conducting the research. Some of the materials in this collection were classified as “Secret” by the United States Government during World War II.
The Papers of Joseph W. Corse are arranged into the following two series:
- Reports
- Glass Lantern Slides
Dates
- Creation: 1943-1949
Creator
- Corse, Joseph W. (Person)
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Papers of Joseph W. Corse. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Background Note
Joseph W. Corse (1913-2009) was an American chemist and employee of Eli Lilly & Company, an American pharmaceuticals concern. During World War II, Corse served on a team of Eli Lilly scientists that conducted research into the biosynthesis of penicillin. Working under the auspices of the United States Committee on Medical Research, Eli Lilly researchers (including Corse) developed a method for the biosynthesis of Penicillin-G, which allowed for the mass production of this drug.
As a result of this research work, Eli Lilly became one of the first pharmaceutical companies to mass produce Penicillin-G. The firm’s “Process and Culture Media for Producing New Penicillins” was patented in 1949.
Sources
Papers of Joseph W. Corse, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Extent
0.75 Linear Feet (2 Boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Reports, reprints, and glass lantern slides regarding the biosynthesis of penicillin by researchers at Eli Lilly & Company. The materials in this collection were collected and maintained by Joseph W. Corse, an American chemist and employee of Eli Lilly.
Acquisition Information
The Papers of Joseph W. Corse were donated to the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation) by Joseph W. Corse in 1994.
Processing Information
The Papers of Joseph W. Corse were processed by Andrew Mangravite in June 2015.
Subject
- Eli Lilly and Company (Organization)
- Woodward, R.B. (Robert Burns), 1917-1979 (Person)
- Lilly Research Laboratories (Organization)
- Title
- Papers of Joseph W. Corse
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Andrew Mangravite and encoded into EAD by Kenton G. Jaehnig.
- Date
- 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: Revised by Kenton G. Jaehnig
Repository Details
Part of the Science History Institute Archives Repository
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106 United States
215.873.8265
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reference@sciencehistory.org