Section 1. Introduction

This special 10th anniversary issue of Reproductive BioMedicine Online celebrates the achievements of Bob Edwards – Founder of our journal, Editor Emeritus, and 2010 Nobel laureate for Physiology or Medicine. A glance through his life-time's publications from 1954 to 2008 (Appendix, p. 9) reveals the extraordinary range of Bob's intellectual curiosity and knowledge, and his at times almost mischievous determination to challenge conventional wisdom. We have selected 14 of his papers from the first decade of Reproductive BioMedicine Online by way of illustration. Nonetheless, whole areas of Bob's interests remain unrepresented – notably the immunology of reproduction, mutagenesis, spermatogenesis, sperm biology and implantation. Despite this, we hope that we have captured the polymathic enthusiasm and energy that Bob has brought to our subject, and which inspired both of us to commence our research careers with him in 1966.

Those difficult early years in the Cambridge Department of Physiology were remarkable. We would gather regularly at lunch time in the Fountain pub for a beer and a cheese and onion roll, and there would discuss and debate science, ethics, social values, and the latest papers. Bob was an avid journal reader and always ahead of the rest of us – something that he has persisted with throughout his career, as witnessed by the extraordinary range of material and ideas he has assembled in his papers chosen for this issue.

We have organised this preface to the papers thematically, and comment on each selected paper in the context of his life-time achievements. We hope you enjoy – and are sure you will admire – this collection from a remarkable man who has transformed both of our lives, as he has those of so many people throughout the world.