James Augustine Shannon (August 9, 1904 – May 20, 1994) was an American nephrologist who served as director of National Institutes of Health (NIH) from August 1, 1955 to August 31, 1968.[1] In 1962 he was awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences, of which he was a member.[3][4] He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and the American Philosophical Society in 1967.[5][6] A collection of his papers is held at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.

James A. Shannon
8th Director of the National Institutes of Health
In office
August 1, 1955 – August 31, 1968
President
Preceded byWilliam H. Sebrell, Jr
Succeeded byRobert Q. Marston
Personal details
Born(1904-08-09)August 9, 1904
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 1994(1994-05-20) (aged 89)
Baltimore, Maryland[1]
SpouseAlice M. Waterhouse
Children2
EducationCollege of the Holy Cross (BA)
New York University (MD, PhD)
AwardsPublic Welfare Medal (1962)
President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service (1966)
National Medal of Science[2] (1974)
Scientific career
FieldsNephrology
InstitutionsNational Institutes of Health

Early life and education

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Shannon was born in New York City on August 9, 1904. He attended Brooklyn Preparatory School and matriculated at the College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1925. He then enrolled at New York University, where he earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1929 and a Ph.D. in 1935.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Saxon, Wolfgang (May 24, 1994). "James A. Shannon, 89, Is Dead; Ex-Director of Health Institutes". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  2. ^ "National Medal of Science". Rockefeller University. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  3. ^ "Public Welfare Award". National Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  4. ^ "James A. Shannon". www.nasonline.org. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "James Augustine Shannon". American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Kennedy, Thomas (1998). "James Augustine Shannon" (PDF). National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
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Government offices
Preceded by 8th Director of National Institutes of Health
1955 – 1968
Succeeded by