ACTA BIOLOGICA CRACOVIENSIA

Professor Trevor W. Goodwin, CBE, FRS,
1916 – 2008
One of the all-time greats of the carotenoid world, Trevor
Walworth (T. W.) Goodwin died on 7th October 2008 at the age
of 92. Unusually for someone who would go on to a long and
distinguished research career, he never studied for a Ph.D.,
though he did obtain a doctorate (D.Sc.) later. After his university
training in chemistry at the University of Liverpool, and a
Master degree in the then new discipline of biochemistry, he
built the main foundations of his research career during World
War 2, when he worked on Government projects on food and
nutrition, especially vitamin A and other vitamins, interspersed
with his duties as an Air Raid Warden. Particularly noteworthy
is his collaboration with Prof R.A. Gregory and a goat, leading
to the first experimental demonstration that vitamin A is
formed from beta-carotene in vivo in the intestine. Post-war,
TWG's research career blossomed, first in Liverpool, then at the
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, from where he
returned to The University of Liverpool as Johnston Professor of
Biochemistry and Department Chair in 1966.
Although he worked on other topics, such as riboflavin,
plant sterols, Trevor Goodwin's great research love affair was
with carotenoids. He built up a large research group which generated
hundreds of publications, notably on the occurrence and
distribution of carotenoids in a wide variety of plants and
microorganisms, and then much pioneering work on carotenoid
biosynthesis, making good use of newly available isotope
labelling techniques. His prolific research output was recognised
by a number of accolades, culminating in his election a
Fellow of The Royal Society (FRS). For his research and for his
major activities in the University and in various national scientific
bodies and policy committees, he was granted national
recognition and appointed a Commander of the Order of The
British Empire (CBE).
To do justice to T.W. Goodwin's many achievements could
easily fill a whole book. Here it is appropriate to select just a
couple of highlights. First, he was a prolific editor of books and
symposium proceedings, and was the author in 1953 of a book
The Comparative Biochemistry of the Carotenoids, which he
brought up to date in the 1980s as The Biochemistry of the
Carotenoids, published in two Volumes, Plants (1980) and
Animals (1984). These books remain valuable sources of information
and insight. Second, he was an expert and experienced
organiser of conferences, and served as Chair of the 6th
International Symposium on Carotenoids held in Liverpool in
1981, thirty years ago this week.
Trevor Goodwin was a special person, who introduced
many of us to the wonderful world of carotenoids, and
remained a great influence and inspiration throughout our
careers. His contribution to the carotenoid field is enormous
and enduring.