John E. Franz: key obituary facts
Is John E. Franz dead? Yes. John E. Franz died on April 27, 2026, at age 96.
Cause of death: John E. Franz's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was John E. Franz known for?
He was known as American chemist.
More about John E. Franz
Born: 21 December 1929.
Place of birth: Springfield.
Gender: male.
Occupation: chemist.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of Minnesota, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Notable work: Roundup.
Awards: National Medal of Technology and Innovation, Perkin Medal, National Inventors Hall of Fame, IRI Achievement Award.
Known for: Inventor of Roundup.
John E.
Franz, an American chemist known for discovering glyphosate, died on April 27, 2026. Born on December 21, 1929, in Springfield, he worked at Monsanto Company, where he discovered the herbicide in 1970.
The chemical later became the active ingredient in Roundup, the broad-spectrum herbicide. Franz was credited with the breakthrough and held more than 840 patents worldwide. He was educated at the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the Perkin Medal, the IRI Achievement Award, and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
John Edward Franz (December 21, 1929 – April 27, 2026) was an American organic chemist who discovered the herbicide glyphosate while working at Monsanto Company in 1970. The chemical became the active ingredient in Roundup, a broad-spectrum, post-emergence herbicide. Franz earned acclaim and rewards for this breakthrough. He also has over 840 patents to his name worldwide.