Hans Neurath
The Bial-Neurath Family
The Proteins
Hans is the author or coauthor of over 400 publications. Soon after joining the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington, Hans realized that his discipline was very much in need of a treatise on protein chemistry. With Kenneth Bailey of the University of Cambridge he assumed the editorship of a four-volume compendium entitled The Proteins: Chemistry, Biological Activity and Methods, which was to serve as the standard reference source of information for over 25 years. According to the preface, the object of the treatise was to present a comprehensive, integrated account of the chemical, physical, and biological properties of proteins. The first volume, with contributions from the top experts in the field, appeared in 1953. The succeeding three volumes were published relatively soon thereafter. The second edition was edited by Hans alone and contained five volumes as did the third and last edition, edited with Robert L. Hill, published between 1975 and 1982.
Biochemistry
Hans wrote that he never expected to become an editor of a scientific journal, let alone its founding editor. In 1961, the editorial committee of the American Chemical Society invited him to become the founding editor of a new journal in the field of biochemistry. The Society was already publishing some 20 journals but none in biochemistry. Hans agreed that there was a need for an alternative to the Journal of Biological Chemistry by placing greater emphasis on the chemical aspects of biochemistry, particularly in the areas of protein chemistry and enzymology. After some hesitation about adding editorial responsibilities to his administrative, teaching, and research duties, he accepted the position. The journal was simply named Biochemistry. Concerning the editorial policy, we read: “It is the aim of Biochemistry to publish important, original research in all recognized and developing areas of biochemistry, especially research that yields new ideas and opens new experimental approaches. In keeping with these objectives, the selection of papers is based on originality and scientific merit. The journal is also liberal, sensitive and responsive to the changing patterns of the field.”
The first Volume, published in 1962, contained some 1,200 pages of text; when Hans retired from his editorship in 1991, the journal had grown to 9,200 pages. Much of the success of the journal came from the fact that all five associate editors and the editor-in-chief were in the same department and could review all incoming manuscripts day-by-day (they met daily from 1:00 to 2:30) and could jointly reach editorial decisions.
Protein Science
Hans’ retirement from editorship did not last long. As he explained, in 1985 at a Symposium of American Protein Chemists discussions centered on bringing together, in a new society, people interested in the study of protein molecules and establishing an associated journal. “The old societies and journals had not been quick enough to appreciate the vast potential of DNA sequencing, molecular cloning, and the growing power of new structural and analytical tools.” (Bradshaw/Eisenberg) At the end of the discussions, it was decided to form a new Society and to proceed at the appropriate time with the publication of a Society-owned journal. Who would be its editor? Hans—who at the time was still editor-in-chief of Biochemistry—was approached (“Neurath was known to those who had worked with him as an immensely strong-minded, clever, competitive, at times domineering, extremely knowledgeable, forceful, and confident scientist.” Bradshaw/Eisenberg) but he firmly but politely rebuffed this idea stating that there were sufficient journals and it was too risky for the Protein Society to start another.
Hans changed his mind and in 1991 (at age 81!) he accepted to become the founding editor of the new journal, because it provided him the opportunity to combine his lifelong interest in the study of proteins with his interests and experience in scientific publication. The new journal was called Protein Science published by Cambridge University Press. The success of the journal may be measured by the increase it generated within four years for the memberships of the Protein Society as well as for the subscription of its journal, it increased from 1,800 to 3,000. Hans remained editor-in-chief until 1998.
