Article: Andrew A. Benson, 1917-2015

Unlabelled: On January 16, 2015, Professor Andrew Alm Benson, one of the leading plant biochemists of the twentieth century, died in La Jolla, California, at the age of 97; he was born on September 24, 1917. Benson was known especially for his pioneering studies on photosynthesis (CO2 assimilation, carbon reduction cycle) and plant lipids (phospholipid phosphatidyl glycerol; and the sulfolipid, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride). A photograph of Benson is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 Photograph of Andrew A. Benson.

Source: Annual Review of Plant Biology, Vol. 53, 2002, published with permission.

Citing Articles

Honoring Hartmut Karl Lichtenthaler, innovative pioneer of photosynthesis, on his 90 birthday.

Govindjee G, Sharkey T, Melis A Photosynthetica. 2025; 62(4):326-338.

PMID: 39811710 PMC: 11726292. DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.017.

Remembering Melvin Calvin (1911-1997), a highly versatile scientist of the 20th century.

Govindjee G, Nonomura A, Lichtenthaler H Photosynth Res. 2019; 143(1):1-11.

PMID: 31792877 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-019-00693-y.

Tribute Roland Douce, 1939-2018.

Joyard J, Lichtenthaler H Photosynth Res. 2019; 141(2):131-142.

PMID: 30877517 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-019-00634-9.

The paths of Andrew A. Benson: a radio-autobiography.

Nonomura A, Holtz B, Biel K, Cooney R, Lorimer G, Govindjee Photosynth Res. 2017; 134(1):93-105.

PMID: 28674935 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-017-0410-y.

Remembering Joan (Jan) Mary Anderson (1932-2015).

Chow W, Horton P, Barrett M, Osmond C Photosynth Res. 2016; 129(2):129-46.

PMID: 27363420 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0287-1.

References

1.

Govindjee . Celebrating Andrew Alm Benson's 93rd birthday. Photosynth Res. 2010; 105(3):201-8. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-010-9591-3. View

2.

MAYAUDON J, Benson A, Calvin M . Ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate from and CO2 fixation by Tetragonia expansa leaves extract. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1957; 23(2):342-51. DOI: 10.1016/0006-3002(57)90337-2. View

3.

Gout E, Aubert S, Bligny R, Rebeille F, Nonomura A, Benson A . Metabolism of methanol in plant cells. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Plant Physiol. 2000; 123(1):287-96. PMC: 59002. DOI: 10.1104/pp.123.1.287. View

4.

Lichtenthaler H . Biosynthesis, accumulation and emission of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, plastoquinone, and isoprene in leaves under high photosynthetic irradiance. Photosynth Res. 2007; 92(2):163-79. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-007-9204-y. View

5.

MAYAUDON J . Study of association between the main nucleoprotein of green leaves and carboxydismutase. Enzymologia. 1957; 18(6):343-54. View

6.

. Special issue: A tribute to Andrew A. Benson. Photosynth Res. 2007; 92(2):143-271. View

7.

Buchanan B, Douce R . Andrew Benson honored on birthday № 97. Photosynth Res. 2014; 123(2):115-6. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-014-0053-1. View

8.

Benson A . Adventures with carbons 11, 12, 13 and 14. Photosynth Res. 2011; 110(1):9-12. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-011-9684-7. View

9.

Benson A . Following the path of carbon in photosynthesis: a personal story. Photosynth Res. 2005; 73(1-3):29-49. DOI: 10.1023/A:1020427619771. View

10.

Benson A . A conversation with Andrew Benson: reflections on the discovery of the Calvin-Benson cycle. Photosynth Res. 2012; 114(3):207-14. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-012-9790-1. View

11.

Benson A . Paving the path. Annu Rev Plant Biol. 2002; 53:1-25. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.arplant.53.091201.142547. View

12.

Lichtenthaler H, Buchanan B, Douce R . Honoring Andrew Benson in Paris : a tribute on his 90th birthday. Photosynth Res. 2008; 96(2):181-3. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-008-9295-0. View