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American biochemist (1911–1980)

William Howard Stein (June 25, 1911 – February 2, 1980) was an American biochemist who collaborated in the determination of the ribonuclease sequence, as well as how its structure relates to catalytic activity, earning a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1972 for his work. Stein was also involved in the invention of the automatic amino acid analyzer, an advancement in chromatography that opened the door to modern methods of chromatography, such as liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.

William H. Stein was born on 25 June 1911 in New York City into a Jewish family. His father, Fred M. Stein, was a businessman who retired early to support local New York health organizations. Staunch advocates for the welfare of society, Stein's parents fostered his interests in the life sciences from a young age. In 1969, Stein experienced sudden paralysis, diagnosed as Guillain Barré syndrome, after developing a fever several days prior during a symposium in Copenhagen. According to Moore, "During the early years of our cooperation, Stein and I worked out a system of collaboration that lasted for a lifetime." and blood plasma.

With their success in improving the analysis time for amino acids, Stein and Moore began to determine the structure of an entire protein molecule, specifically bovine ribonuclease, in the early 1950s. They determined the entire sequence of ribonuclease by 1960. This sequence combined with X ray analysis of the crystallized ribonuclease lead to the determination of the nuclease's active site. Stein won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1972 with Moore and Christian Boehmer Anfinsen, for their work on ribonuclease and "for their contribution to the understanding of the connection between chemical structure and catalytic activity of the ribonuclease molecule."

William H. Stein received numerous honors from Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, including: D. Sc. honoris causa, Columbia University (1973), D. Sc. honoris causa, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (1973), and the Award of Excellence Medal, Columbia University Graduate Faculty and Alumni Association (1973).

William H. Stein was a member of several scientific societies, including the: National Academy of Sciences (elected to membership in 1960), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (elected to membership in 1960), American Society of Biological Chemists, Biochemical Society of London, American Chemical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Harvey Society of New York.