Person Fowden; Sir; Leslie (1925 - 2008); plant biochemist Fowden Leslie Sir plant biochemist 1925 - 2008 British Male Birch Hill House, Wardle, Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom 13 October 1925 19251013 Etheldred House care home, Clay Street, Histon, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom 16 December 2008 20081216 Cremation: Cambridge crematorium, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (29 December 2008)

Plant biochemist Organic chemistry Plant science Phytochemistry Biochemistry Education: Rochdale grammar school; University College, London 1943-1945 Career: Began working at the Medical Research Council's human nutrition research unit (1947); ecturer in plant biochemistry in the botany department at University College (1950); promoted to a readership (1956–64); then personal chair (1964–73); dean of the faculty of science (1970-1973); honorary fellow of University College (1966); held visiting appointments at Cornell University (1955); the Biochemical Institute in Helsinki (1957); the University of California at Davis (1963); and the University of Hong Kong (1967); director of the Rothamsted Experimental Station in Harpenden (1973); retired (1988); travelled and lectured widely as chairman of the plant chemistry working group division of the International Organization for Chemical Science in Development (1987–90); chairman of the British Council's agricultural and veterinary advisory committee (1987–95); died from renal and heart failure. Honours: Kt 1982 Parents: Herbert Fowden (1878–1960), iron turner at Turner Brothers, ironfounders, and Amy Dorothy Rabbich (1891–1960), cotton minder and daughter of Frank Goodridge Rabbich, school caretaker and former baker. Spouse: Margaret (Peggy) Oakes (1923–2006), daughter of Arthur George Murell Oakes, fireman Children: Abigail and Jeremy. One of the most influential plant scientists of his generation. He pioneered the new field of phytochemistry and was the world authority on plant amino acids. He was distinguished for the identification, characterization and biological function of a new category of nitrogen containing molecules in plants, the non-protein amino acids. The main lecture theatre at Rothamsted had been named after him in 1987. Royal Society roles: Council: 1970-1972 Fellow 19/03/1964 38 DNB; International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.2021.0002 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Fowden%2C+Leslie RCN 18417 RCN 15186 RCN 18453 13 Oct 1925 - 16 Dec 2008 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 17/09/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA3954 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 17/09/2025 RS_NET\VidaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/164122939 178b001d-5776-44da-8f2b-f4f0d8a00eed