Dr Alex Comfort, M.B., D.Sc., (1920-2000) was a leading expert on human sexuality and one of the most versatile authors of the 20th century. A pioneer in the study of old age, co-founder of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, anarchist, social commentator, novelist and poet, he wrote over 50 books and countless scientific papers. Dr Comfort also worked as head of research on gerontology at University College London, a lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University and Adjunct Professor at the Neuropsychiatric Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles. A member of the Royal Society of Medicine and an Associate Member of the American Psychiatric Association, he died in March 2000, aged 80.