The Millionaire Next Door

The millionaire next door, hard-working, unassuming, brilliant---and generous. This time it's a Northwestern chemistry professor, Richard Silverman, who is donating $100 million to the university. Sun Times:

Even after developing a blockbuster drug that has earned him millions of dollars, Northwestern chemistry Professor Richard Silverman is known as a low-key, down-to-earth guy with a wry sense of humor. He's more likely to be in his lab at work or teaching undergraduates than out spending his money.

That's why Silverman's colleagues were surprised by his plan to donate tens of millions of dollars from his share of the sales of the drug Lyrica, which grossed $1.2 billion last year, for a new research facility for chemistry, biology and engineering at Northwestern.

Lyrica helps people with nerve pain and epilepsy, and may be approved for other uses. More from Northwestern's site:

Silverman Hall also will be the home of the new Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, which will bridge the disciplines of chemistry, biology, engineering and computational science. The institute will focus on designing new drugs for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and developing improved techniques to facilitate the earlier diagnosis of diseases, as well as other related research.

So next time some liberal rails about Big Pharma, perhaps a gentle reminder about someone like Mr. Silverman may ease their pain.