Calvin, Melvin

Calvin, Melvin (1911-1997), American chemist and Nobel laureate, noted for his study of photosynthesis and for his work with certain plant species that produce fuel oil. Calvin was born in St Paul, Minnesota, and educated at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology.Calvin was able to detect the sequence of chemical reactions produced by plants in converting gaseous carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates. For this discovery he was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.