Born in Chicago , Illinois , the third son of Joseph Novy and his wife Frances , grew up on the West Side , near the site where the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871 . After attending the local public schools , Novy matriculated to the University of Michigan where he studied chemistry , graduating with a B.S. in 1886 . He performed his graduate studies at the same institution , receiving his master 's degree in 1887 with a thesis on " Cocaine and its derivatives " . At this time he became an instructor at the University , teaching a course in bacteriology , then was awarded an Sc.D . in 1890 with a thesis titled , " The Toxic Products of the Bacillus of Hog Cholera " . The following year , he completed the work needed to receive his M.D . He was married to Grace Garwood in 1891 ; the daughter of Dr. V. G. Garwood
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Frederick George Novy