August Krogh

Biography

Schack August Steenberg Krogh was a Danish physiologist who made groundbreaking contributions to circulatory physiology. Born on November 15, 1874, in Grenaa, Denmark, Krogh became a leading medical researcher in the early 20th century. He started his education at Aarhus Katedralskole and continued his studies at the University of Copenhagen, where he spent most of his career.

Krogh was a professor of zoophysiology at the University of Copenhagen from 1916 to 1945 and became known as an authority in physiological research. His major contribution was discovering how capillaries in skeletal muscle are regulated, a study that won him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1920. He was the first scientist to explain how blood flow in muscles and organs changes with physiological demands by the opening and closing of arterioles and capillaries, revolutionizing the understanding of circulation and oxygen delivery at a microscopic level.

In addition to his research on capillaries, Krogh made key discoveries in various areas of physiology. He developed Krogh's principle, which states that for studying many physiological issues, nature has provided an animal species ideal for investigation. This principle influenced how researchers chose experimental models.

Krogh's work extended beyond academic research into practical applications. He helped found what is now Novo Nordisk, showing his dedication to turning scientific discoveries into medical applications. Throughout his career, he received numerous international honors, such as the Croonian Medal and Lecture in 1940, the Baly Medal in 1945, and Foreign Membership of the Royal Society in 1937. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Harvard University, Oxford University, Edinburgh University, Oslo University, and Lund University. Krogh passed away on September 13, 1949, in Copenhagen, leaving a lasting impact on physiological science.