Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145229

Title: CHESTER RAY BENJAMIN, 1923-2002

Author
item Rossman, Amy

Submitted to: Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2003
Publication Date: 7/23/2003
Citation: Rossman, A.Y. Chester ray benjamin, 1923-2002. Mycologia. Vol.95(3)pp.557-558,2003.

Interpretive Summary: Chester Ray Benjamin was a scientist who studied fungi for the United States Department of Agriculture. He worked at two major government research facilities, first in Peoria, Illinois, and later in Beltsville, Maryland. His research interests concerned the classification of antibiotic-producing fungi and bread molds. He discovered and described the sexual states of fungi that produce the antibiotic penicillin. This was a major breakthrough that was important for increasing the quantities of penicillin produced by the fungus so that it would be available to the public at a reasonable price. In addition, he published monographic accounts of the bread mold fungi. He conducted research jointly with colleagues on topics ranging from the presence of carotenoids in fungi to a new species of soil fungus. From 1960 to 1971 he served as Director of the U.S. National Fungus Collections obtaining thousands of additional fungal specimens. He served as President of the Mycological Society of America in 1967. Later Benjamin became a scientific diplomat holding adminstrative positions in the State Department from which he retired in 1984. Chester Benjamin was an even-tempered, considerate leader who helped strengthen the U.S. National Fungus Collections and promote the Mycological Society of America.

Technical Abstract: Chester Ray Benjamin was a mycologist for the United States Department of Agriculture who worked at the two major government research facilities, first in Peoria, Illinois, and later in Beltsville, Maryland. His research interests were primarily concerned with the systematics of the Eurotiales and Mucorales. He discovered and described the ascomatal states produced by species of Aspergillus and Penicillium (Eurotiales). In addition, he published monographic accounts of several genera in the Mucorales. Throughout the years, he conducted research jointly with colleagues on topics ranging from the presence of carotenoids in Pestalotiopsis to a new species of soil fungus. He served as Director of the U.S. National Fungus Collections from 1960 to 1971 obtaining thousands of additional fungal specimens. He served as President of the Mycological Society of America in 1967. Later Benjamin became a scientific diplomat holding administrative positions in the State Department from which he retired in 1984. Chester Benjamin was an even-tempered, considerate leader who helped to strengthen the U.S. National Fungus Collections and promote the Mycological Society of America.