Elias James Corey, a specialist in the synthesis of organic chemicals, developed many of the theories and methods that now define his field. Since his research career began in the 1950s, one of his goals has been to make the synthesis of chemicals more systematic, and he is best known for his logical approach to the creation of new substances, which he has named "retrosynthetic analysis." Corey's achievements in research, which resulted in far-reaching benefits for medicine and human health, were recognized in 1990 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Corey was born July 12, 1928, to Fatina (Hasham) and Elias Corey in Methuen, Massachusetts. His father died eighteen months later. Corey had been named William at birth, but after his father's death his mother renamed him in his memory. Corey had three siblings, a brother and two sisters, and they were all raised by their mother, with...