John Tileston Edsall: some selected biography and personal reminiscences

This paper has been written in honor of John T. Edsall. Its purpose is to review briefly the status of science during his active years and the combination of personal qualities and upbringing which resulted in his enormous impact on the field of biochemistry. There was an unusual combination of deep knowledge and interest in many intellectual areas by no means restricted to science; the large number of individuals he met by intent or by chance, many to become fast friends for life, who themselves became distinguished in science; and last but not least his influence on science policy through very clear statements and his moral positions on questions of the day.