Centenarian scientists: an unusual cluster newly formed in the 20th century.
From biographical data sources on ranking scientists, I was able to identify 35 centenarians. Among these, only one (Michel Chevereul from France) lived before the 20th century. Since the remaining 34 individuals became centenarians only from 1965, I propose that centenarian scientists are an unusual cluster, first formed in the 20th century. Among these, all except one (Alice Hamilton) were men. Six centenarian scientists, including Hamilton, had received professional medical training. The nationality ranks of the 34 centenarian scientists identified in the 20th century show 26 Americans, 6 British, one German and one French. Four of the 26 Americans were immigrants from Europe. At least three centenarians, namely Michael Heidelberger, Nathaniel Kleitman and Victor Hamburger, belong to the 'Nobel class' category, being pioneers in the disciplines of immunochemistry, sleep physiology and neuroembryology respectively.
Sri Kantha
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Faculty of Agriculture, Gifu University, Gifu City, Japan. kanthass@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D012106:Research / Q000266:history; D012586:Science / Q000266:history*