Sir Kenneth Murray. 30 December 1930 — 7 April 2013

Abstract

Sir Kenneth Murray—Ken to his friends—was held in high esteem and affection by all who knew him. In a remarkable career, which began after he left school at the age of 16 years, he played a prominent part, through his elegant and meticulous research, in the evolution of biotechnology; he trained and inspired generations of students entering this bright new discipline; he developed the means of diagnosing, preventing and treating a feared disease, thereby saving many thousands of lives; he was one of a small coterie that founded the first Europe-based biotechnology company; and he used the profits that this yielded to enrich his university and promote, through the charity that he founded, the careers of promising young scientists. He remained, throughout, modest, unassuming and ever willing to give of his time and knowledge to all who asked.