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Died Age: 49

source:wikipedia.org

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton

Birthday:

11 Nov, 1907

Date of Death:

18 Feb, 1957

Cause of death:

Leukemia

Nationality:

American

Famous As:

Professor

Age at the time of death:

Introduction to Joseph Gilbert Hamilton

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton was an American physician, biophysicist, and radiation researcher who was best known for his controversial experiments on human subjects using radioactive isotopes, which had both beneficial and harmful effects on the field of medicine and nuclear science.

Early Life and Education

Hamilton was born on November 11, 1907, in Santa Barbara. He was the son of Gilbert and Mary Hamilton.

He had his early education in Santa Barbara. Hamilton later attended the University of California, where he graduated in 1929.

Medical Education and Early Career

After obtaining a degree in chemistry, Hamilton embarked on pursuing his medical degree in Berkeley. He was opportune to intern at the University of California Hospital, San Francisco, where he developed an interest in the biological effects of radiation.

Joining the Radiation Laboratory

He joined the Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley in 1936 before becoming an associate professor of medical physics in 1941.

Experiments with Radioactive Materials

Hamilton conducted several experiments on human subjects using radioactive materials. Some of these experiments aimed at developing treatments for cancer and other diseases, while others were part of the Manhattan Project.

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton's Quote's

“If this is to be done in humans, I feel that those concerned in the Atomic Energy Commission would be subject to considerable criticism as admittedly this would have a little of the Buchenwald touch”

Self-Experimentation and Ethical Controversies

Hamilton also experimented on himself and his colleagues by exposing them to various doses of radiation, which caused them to develop radiation-induced illnesses.

Hamilton’s experiments contributed to the advancement of nuclear medicine and radiobiology but also raised ethical questions about the consent and safety of human subjects. Some of his subjects were terminally ill patients who agreed to participate in the experiments in exchange for medical care, while others were prisoners, soldiers, and civilians who weren’t fully informed of the risks associated with the experiments.

Personal Life and Legacy

Joseph Hamilton was married to Leah Rinnie. Unfortunately, before his death, Hamilton suffered from leukemia. He eventually died from the disease in 1957.

Profile Snapshot

Name:

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton

Popular Name:

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton

Gender:

Male

Cause of Death:

Leukemia

Spouse:

Leah Rinne

Place of Birth:

Santa Barbara

Place of Death:

Berkeley, California

Occupation / Profession:

Professor

Personality Type

Logician: Innovative inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Joseph Gilbert Hamilton’s constant need to analyze and derive solutions led him to experiment on himself and even his colleagues

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton's Interesting Facts

As part of the Manhattan Project, Hamilton led controversial human trials injecting plutonium into unsuspecting patients to study its effects, raising significant ethical concerns

Hamilton was among the first to inject a person intravenously with a radioisotope in 1936, pioneering the use of radioisotopes in medicine.

Hamilton died from leukemia at the young age of 49, with his death officially recorded as an industrial accident due to his work with radiation.

He developed the use of radioiodine for diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders, which became a significant advancement in medical applications of radiation.

His name was added to the Monument to the X-ray and Radium Martyrs of All Nations in Hamburg, Germany, posthumously recognizing his contributions and sacrifice in radiation research

Joseph Gilbert Hamilton directed biomedical research at the Berkeley site of the Manhattan Project.

Achievements & Awards

Became director of the Crocker Radiation Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley in 1948.

Developed the use of radioiodine for diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders.

Conducted groundbreaking research on the toxicity and metabolism of plutonium and other radioactive elements.

His name was added to the Monument to the X-ray and Radium Martyrs of All Nations in Hamburg, Germany, posthumously recognizing his contributions to radiation research.