Ralph Kohn: philanthropic pharmacologist with all the right notes

Abstract

Ralph Kohn loves to talk. I'm barely through the door of his Harley Street study in London before he's off. The conversation veers through reminiscence, gossip, and much else which emerges from his copious memory. An anecdote from World War 2 about General Patton—how did we get on to that? I've no idea, but it's all compelling stuff. Most of the anecdotes spin out of events in which Kohn's been involved, or from one of the people he's met or known. And many reflect his parallel preoccupations with medical science and music.