Hans Krebs

Sir Hans Adolf Krebs was born in Hildesheim in northern Germany in 1900. Following in his father’s footsteps, he studied medicine before deciding his future lay in academic research rather than medical practice.

In June 1933, the National Socialist Government terminated his contract at the University of Freiburg, and he went, at the invitation of Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, to the University of Cambridge.

Sir Hans Krebs took up a post at the University of Sheffield in 1935 where he worked for nineteen years, becoming Lecturer-in-Charge of the newly-founded Department of Biochemistry in 1938, and Professor of Biochemistry in 1945.

In 1953 he earned the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the citric acid cycle, later known as the Krebs cycle, an explanation of one of the most fundamental processes of life: the conversion of food into energy within a cell.

Sir Hans Krebs was knighted in 1958 and received honorary doctorates from twenty-one different Universities for his contributions to Biochemistry, Physiology and Medicine.

Watch the video below to hear from some of those who have been inspired by Sir Krebs' book, Reminiscences and Reflections.

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The collection currently consists of over 500 books.

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Throughout the last year we have been canvassing staff, students and alumni to garner nominations for books by our Sheffield Academics that have inspired, motivated or informed.

Tell us your story and help shape our showcase by making a book nomination.