Albert Hofmann (January 11, 1906 – April 29, 2008) was a
Swiss scientist known best for being the first person to
synthesize,
ingest, and learn of the
psychedelic effects of
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann was also the first person to isolate, synthesize, and name the principal
psychedelic mushroom compounds
psilocybin and
psilocin. He authored more than 100 scientific articles and numerous books, including
LSD: Mein Sorgenkind (
LSD: My Problem Child). In 2007, he shared first place, alongside
Tim Berners-Lee, in a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses, published by
The Telegraph newspaper.