Richter, Derek

Photocopies of scrapbooks regrading the Neuropsychiatric Research Centre; and a privately published autobiography, (1989). Richter began compiling his albums in 1950. They include photographs of the Research Centre at Cardiff and Carshalton, press cuttings, some correspondence, publications by the Centre and ephemera. The first album includes material relating to the earlier history of the Whitchurch Hospital.

1906-1983

1 o/s box

In 1984 Dr Richter lent the Contemporary Medical Archives Centre his photograph and ephemera albums for selective photocopying. In 1994 he gave a copy of his autobiography.

Derek Richter was a Neurochemist, responsible for the discovery of monoamine oxidase. After studying chemistry at Oxford, and holding various research posts in Oxford and London, Richter was appointed Director of the Neuropsychiatric Research Centre at Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, in 1947. The Research Centre was funded jointly by the MRC and the Rockefeller Foundation until 1957, when it was taken over by the MRC. In 1960 it moved to Carshalton, Surrey. Richter served on the Central Council of the International Brain Research Organisation and as Secretary General 1972-1977. He was instrumental in establishing the Mental Health Research Fund in 1949, the Journal of Neurochemistry in 1956, the Brain Research Association in 1968, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Group for Biological Psychiatry in 1977.

At Wellcome Collection: SA/BRA, SA/MIG, GC/2, 135, 170, 179, 224, 229.