Henry Sherwood Lawrence (September 22, 1916 – April 5, 2004) was an American immunologist best known for his discovery of transfer factors in 1949. He is also known for being one of founders of the new branch of biology that explores the function of

lymphocytes A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) in the immune system of most vertebrates. Lymphocytes include natural killer cells (which function in cell-mediated, cytotoxic innate immunity), T cells (for cell-mediated, cytotoxic adap ...

. Lawrence was the head of the department of infectious diseases and immunology at New York University, co-director of medical services at Bellevue and New York University Hospitals, a member of the

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Nati ...

, director of New York University's cancer center, the founding editor of the journal Cellular Immunology, director of New York University's

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

research center. The New York Times called Lawrence "a pioneering immunologist", "an expert in

infectious diseases An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable dise ...

" and said that "his research generated other advances in immunology". The

called him "a distinguished physician, a master teacher, and a pioneer in research on cell-mediated immunity".

Notable awards and distinctions

* The " von Pirquet Gold Medal for Scientific Advancement in Immunology from the Forum on Allergy". * The "

New York Academy of Medicine The New York Academy of Medicine (the Academy) is a health policy and advocacy organization founded in 1847 by a group of leading New York metropolitan area physicians as a voice for the medical profession in medical practice and public health ...

Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Science". * The "American College of Physicians Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science". * The "Lila Gruber Award for Cancer Research from the

American Academy of Dermatology The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is a non-profit professional organization of dermatologists in the United States and Canada, based in Rosemont, Illinois, near Chicago. It was founded in 1938 and has more than 20,500 members. The Academy ...

". * The "Distinguished Teacher’s Award from the New York University School of Medicine".

Chronology

* 1916: Born in Astoria, Queens, New York City on May 22. * 1938: Graduated from New York University. * 1943: M.D., New York University. * 1949: Joined the medical faculty of New York University. * 1959–2000: Became "Head of Infectious Diseases and Immunology", New York University. * 1964–2000: Named "Co-director of Medical Services" at Bellevue and New York University Hospitals. * 1979: Assumed the "Jeffrey Bergstein Professorship" of Medicine at New York University. * 2000: Retires.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Henry Sherwood 1916 births 2004 deaths American immunologists New York University faculty Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences People from Astoria, Queens Physicians from New York City New York University Grossman School of Medicine alumni Scientists from New York (state) Scientists from Queens, New York