Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Discovery of Vitamins A and B

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 1, 2012

1. Discovery of Vitamins A and B Marker

Inscription. In 1913 University of Wisconsin biochemist Elmer V. McCollum and associates used rats to conduct nutritional studies that led to the discovery of vitamin A in butterfat and cod liver oil. In 1917 his group discovered vitamin B complex in milk whey. Scientists first named these "fat-soluble factor A" and "water-soluble factor B." Incorporating C. Funk's term of "vital amine," McCollum later named them "vitamine" A and "vitamine" B. This opened the field of nutrition for the identification of all the vitamins, a search completed in the 1940s.

This marker is made possible by a grant from the UW Foundation

Erected 2001 by the UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 43° 4.44′ N, 89° 24.68′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Babcock Drive and University Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is next to the stairs leading to one of the west entrances to the Biochemistry Building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Touch for map. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at or near this postal address: 420 Henry Mall, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eliminating Pellagra (a few steps from this marker); Controlling Blood Clotting (within shouting distance of this marker); First Chemical Synthesis of a Gene (within shouting distance of this marker); Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneering Bacterial Genetics (within shouting distance of this marker); Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneering Human Genetics (about 300 feet away); Genetically Superior Crops (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

More about this marker. This marker is part of a series commemorating the sesquicentennial of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 1, 2012

2. Discovery of Vitamins A and B Marker

The marker is to the left of the stairs leading to one of the west entrances to the Biochemistry Building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.