For Sir Isaac Wolfson's distinctions and career see *Who's Who* 1990 and the excellent memoir by Lord Bullock in *Biographical memoirs of the Royal Society* 1994 423-7.

Blond was a generous benefactor to the College, in conjunction with his relatives in the Marks family. He had made his wealth as a textile manufacturer in Manchester, and also served with distinction in both world wars, and as a public servant in influential positions in Whitehall, Paris, Washington

Israel Sieff was born on 4 May 1889, and was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Manchester University. At school he met Simon Marks who had a similar upbringing - in fact he stated on the occasion of his admission to the Honorary Fellowship that it was from their parents that he and Simon had