Dr. Albert Montgomery Kligman was a renowned dermatologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania who made seminal contributions to the field of skin science during his distinguished career. Born on March 17, 1916 to Russian Jewish immigrants in Philadelphia, he earned his bachelor's degree in botany from Pennsylvania State University in 1939 before obtaining his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942. After completing his medical degree at Penn Medicine in 1947 and dermatology residency in 1950, he joined the faculty where he remained for approximately fifty years, establishing himself as a leading authority in dermatological research. Dr. Kligman's early academic work included establishing the protocol for periodic acid Schiff staining and developing the influential maximization test for ranking skin contact sensitizers, which laid the foundation for his subsequent groundbreaking discoveries.
Dr. Kligman's most transformative contribution was the discovery of topical tretinoin, which revolutionized the treatment of acne and became commercially known as Retin-A, one of the most successful dermatological medications in history. He was the first dermatologist to elucidate the correlation between sun exposure and the development of rhytids, pioneering the scientific understanding of photoaging and coining the term that describes ultraviolet light-induced skin damage. His research, published in more than 1,000 scientific papers and over 20 textbooks, significantly advanced the treatment of common skin conditions including seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm, and alopecia. These discoveries not only provided effective clinical solutions for millions of patients but also medicalized dermatology by adding scientific legitimacy to a field that previously lacked robust basic science foundations.
Despite his scientific achievements, Dr. Kligman's legacy remains complex due to his controversial research conducted at Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia from 1951 to 1974, where he tested pharmaceuticals including tretinoin, dioxin, and components of Agent Orange on incarcerated subjects. The University of Pennsylvania later acknowledged that this work was terribly disrespectful of individuals - many of whom were imprisoned Black men - and failed to uphold modern standards of informed consent and ethical research. Through the commercial success of his patents, particularly Retin-A, Dr. Kligman donated millions to the University of Pennsylvania, endowing the Albert M. Kligman Professorship, the Dermatology Fund, and the Kligman Travel Fellowships that supported over 250 young dermatologists. In 2021, Penn Medicine reevaluated his legacy, implementing educational initiatives to promote equitable research practices while recognizing both his scientific contributions and the ethical transgressions that continue to inform contemporary medical ethics standards.
