Gerhard Schrader (1903-1990)
Overview
Dr. Gerhard Schrader (February 25, 1903-1990) was a German chemist who specialized in the discovery of new insecticides. He hoped to make progress in the fight against hunger in the world but is best known for his accidental discovery of nerve agents such as sarin and tabun.
On December 23, 1936, Dr. Schrader of the I. G. Farbenindustrie laboratory in Leverkusen first prepared Tabun (ethyl dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate, GA). He also discovered Sarin, soman, and Cyclosarin while attempting to develop new Insecticides. These highly toxic gases were used by the Nazis during World War II. Dr. Schrader is sometimes called the "father of the Nerve Agents."
References
Tucker, Jonathon. War of Nerves: Chemical Warfare From World War I to Al-Qaeda. Pantheon Books, 2006.