Oral History Interview: Henry Pitot (1356)

Abstract

In his four 2013 interview sessions with Molly Laas, Henry Pitot, former director of McArdle Laboratory and chair of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Pathology, provides a thorough overview of his life through academics and personal history. Born in 1930 on Long Island to his father, a successful figure in insurance, and mother, a semi-professional actor, early on, Pitot was presented with clear examples of hard work from his parents. After achieving his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute, where his aspirations toward a military career were quickly quashed, Pitot returned to his parents’ former home, New Orleans, to attend medical school at Tulane University. There, he quickly gained his MD as well as his PhD, and met his future wife, Julia. After he and his wife had welcomed five of their seven eventual children, forcing them to take up creative tactics to save money, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Pitot studied liver cancer in Dr. Van R. Potter’s lab as well as taking up a new position as an assistant professor at McArdle Laboratory. Despite being presented with opportunities to leave over the years, Pitot remained at McArdle for his entire career, engaging in critical research on the molecular biology of multistage carcinogenesis, especially in regard to regulation and quantitation of defective gene expression in the stages of initiation, promotion, and progression of liver cancer. Pitot’s family was incredibly helpful in organizing and putting the many community events which were held, often at the Pitot house, to foster a sense of camaraderie and friendship among the McArdle faculty. Pitot became chairman of the Department of Pathology in 1968, although he was forced to step down once he was made director of McArdle Laboratory, a role he held from 1973-1991. During his time in this leadership position, Pitot worked diligently to maintain a strong research program at McArdle, something he did in close collaboration with Associate Director Betty Miller. One significant event which marked Pitot’s time as director was the merging of McArdle Laboratory and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at UW due to pressure from the National Cancer Institute, a complicated affair which led to difficulties in maintaining McArdle’s independence and sense of community. While at McArdle as well, Pitot was sure to participate in continuing education programs, such as those through the American Cancer Society speakers bureau. In addition to these managerial jobs, Pitot served as a professor throughout the entirety of his time at UW, as well as focusing on his own scientific research. Overall, Pitot’s story showcases a meaningful period of growth and balance at McArdle Laboratory as well as within the larger context of cancer research at UW–Madison. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Carbone Cancer Center @ 50 Oral History Project of the UW-Madison Archives & Records Management oral history collection.