Boyd, William C. (William Clouser), 1903-

Dr. William C. Boyd received his Ph.D. in chemistry at Boston University in 1930. He spent his career at Boston University, first as a faculty member in the medical school and, after 1948 until his retirement in 1968, professor immunochemistry. In response to the need in World War II to find a quick and easy way to determine blood type from whole blood, Boyd discovered that chemicals, called 'lectins,' in some plants reacted differently to different blood types. His research ultimately disclosed thousands of plants which possessed these chemicals.

From the guide to the William C. Boyd Papers, 1944-1983 (bulk 1944-1950), (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)

Dr. William C. Boyd received his Ph.D. in chemistry at Boston University in 1930. He spent his career at Boston University, first as a faculty member in the medical school and, after 1948 until his retirement in 1968, professor immunochemistry. Dr. Boyd's work proved that some plants have individual, or blood group, specificity. In response to the need in World War II to find a quick and easy way to determine blood type from whole blood, Boyd discovered that chemicals, called 'lectins,' in some plants reacted differently to different blood types. His research ultimately disclosed thousands of plants which possessed these chemicals.

From the description of William C. Boyd papers, 1944-1950. (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 14337905