Robert Burns Woodward, 10 April 1917 - 8 July 1979

In his lifetime Robert Burns Woodward made outstanding contributions spanning almost the whole range of theoretical and experimental organic chemistry. In preparing this biographical memoir the authors were of the opinion that separation of biographical detail from a discussion of his scientific contributions would make for greater clarity in presentation. Accordingly the memoir is presented in two parts— a personal biography of R. B. Woodward (by A. R. T.) and a discussion of his scientific work (by J. W. C.).