Albert Hofmann, the father of LSD, was born 115 years ago.
Hofmann 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 also was the first to isolate, synthesize and name the principal psychedelic mushroom compounds: psilocybin and psilocin. He authored more than 100 scientific articles and a number of books, including LSD: My Problem Child.
In 2007, he was ranked a shared first place, alongside Tim Berners-Lee, in The Telegraph's list of 100 greatest living geniuses.
He died in 2008.
Illustration by Alex Grey