Papers of G. Raymond Rettew

G. Raymond Rettew (1903-1973) was an American chemist and mushroom cultivator. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1903, Rettew attended the University Delaware (1922-1923) and Swarthmore College (1923-1926). He was introduced to the mushroom cultivation industry by his father in-law and saw the industry's need for scientific study. With business partner Joseph W. Strode, Rettew co-founded Chester County Mushroom Laboratories, where he pioneered the sterile production of mushroom spawn. By 1932, Chester County Mushroom Laboratories was the largest mushroom spawn supplier in the United States.

In 1940, Rettew learned of the healing properties of penicillin, which was discovered by Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming. With World War II raging, Rettew and Strode saw the need for penicillin to treat Allied troops. In 1942, Rettew and Strode established a partnership with Reichel Laboratories to mass produce pencillin using fungiculture techniques. In 1943, Reichel Laboratories was taken over by Wyeth Laboratories and Rettew was named director of Wyeth's penicillin production. With Rettew leading the effort, Wyeth became the world's largest supplier of penicillin. Rettew's efforts were credited with saving the lives of thousands of Allied troops during World War II.

Rettew continued working at Wyeth Laboratories until his retirement in 1968, helping to set up the firm's antiobiotic manufacturing facilities. G. Raymond Rettew passed away on June 24, 1973.