Obituary: Professor Peter Alexander
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PETER ALEXANDER was one of the scientific world's most colourful characters, writes Humphrey Kay (further to the obituary by Professor Joe Hall, 22 December).
He openly confessed that by changing his views and his lines of research he was less susceptible to criticism. 'It is more difficult to hit a moving target,' he explained. At the same time his wide knowledge and sharp perception made him an invaluable critic of good or bad research, and he could be relied on both to pinpoint errors and to highlight the implications of other people's research. No meeting that he attended was ever dull. At the Cancer Research Institute it was said that every large research organisation needed a Peter Alexander, but preferably only one.
His quick wit and repartee were a delight. I remember when our Anglo-French Leukaemia Trial, named Concord, was disintegrating on the rocks of disillusion and it was proposed that a Franco-American trial would have a better chance of success. 'Let us call it Lafayette,' Peter said. 'And what will the British do?' he was asked. 'Oh, we shall have our own trial. We can call it Waterloo.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments