Oscar Riddle (September 27, 1877 – November 29, 1968) was an American biologist. He is known for his research into the pituitary gland and for isolating the hormone prolactin.
Oscar Riddle published many dozens of original research reports in the 30 years 1916-1945.[2] His research spanned endocrinology, the physiology of reproduction, animal pigmentation, and the nature and functional basis of sex. He is most remembered for his research into the major pituitary hormone prolactin. It was shown by other researchers in 1928 that an aqueous mash of pituitary cells can induce lactation in female mammals. Riddle and his colleagues were the first to isolate prolactin, which was named by Riddle in 1932.[2][5] Also around 1932 Riddle was earliest to show that the prolactin protein induces the secretion of crop milk in pigeons and other birds.[2] During the 1930s he participated in leading-edge demonstrations on the effects of prolactin injections in animals.[2]
Humanism
Riddle was a devout atheist and held the conviction that religion poses a serious threat to scientific advancements.[6] He garnered national attention for a speech debunking superstition in 1936. His speech was delivered to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was published in the journal Science and covered by the New York Times. Riddle was featured on the cover of Time (magazine) in January 1939.[citation needed] In 1958, Riddle was named the Humanist of the Year by the American Humanist Association. He was president of the American Rationalist Federation in 1959 and 1960.
In 1937, Riddle married Leona Lewis, a music teacher. They had no children.
