William L. Brown
For the American newspaper publisher and politician, see William L. Brown (politician).
For the American industrialist, see William Liston Brown.
William Lacy Brown (July 16, 1913 — March 8, 1991) was an American geneticist notable for breeding programs in maize, sorghum, soybeans and wheat. [1] [2] He was president, chairman and chief executive of Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.[2] He was also a director of the Rockefeller Foundation's advisory committee on maize.[2] Brown was elected to the National Academies of Science.[2][3] The National Academies Press said that Brown "made significant and lasting contributions to increasing and stabilizing food production worldwide".[1]
Awards and Distinctions
- Fellow, American Society of Agronomy, 1970
- Fellow, Iowa Academy of Science, 1970
- Fellow, Drake University, 1970
- Agronomic Service Award, American Society of Agronomy, 1979
- Distinguished Fellow, Iowa Academy of Science, 1980
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Bridgewater College, 1980
- Member, National Academy of Sciences, 1980
- Honorary Phi Beta Kappa, Drake University, 1981
- President, Crop Science Society of America, 1982
- Distinguished Economic Botanist, Society for Economic Botany, 1982
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Washington University, 1983
- Genetics and Plant Breeding Award for Industry, Crop Science Society of America, 1986
- Henry Shaw Medal, Missouri Botanical Garden, 1986
- Honorary D.Sc., Drake University, 1987
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1989
- Honorary Ph.D., West Virginia University, 1989
Career and Life
Brown received Ph.D. from Washington University in 1941. Brown almost entire career of 40 years was with Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers of hybrid seed corn.[2]