Colton, Frank Benjamin (1923– )

Polish-born chemist and inventor who emigrated to the USA in 1934. He helped develop an improved synthesis of cortisone. His pioneering work in steroid chemistry led in 1960 to the development of Enovid, the first oral contraceptive, for which he was patentee.

He was born in Bialystok, Poland. He was educated at Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of Chicago. He worked for G D Searle and Company from 1951 until his retirement in 1986.