Morton Arnsdorf (1940–2010)

Morton Arnsdorf, the book review editor of Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, was tragically killed in an automobile accident on June 9, 2010. Mort grew up in Chicago, went to college at Harvard, and then to medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In college, Mort majored in History of Science, and he retained strong interests in history throughout his medical career. Mort did a residency in medicine at the University of Chicago, went back to Columbia for fellowship training, and then joined the faculty of the University of Chicago in 1973. During his tenure in Chicago, he became Professor of Medicine and served both as Chief of the Section of Cardiology and as Vice-Chairman of the Department of Medicine.

Mort's research focused on cardiac electrophysiology; he was the model of a physician-scientist, who studied the biology of cardiac arrhythmias and cared for patients with these arrhythmias. He received a number of awards for his contributions to cardiology, including the Distinguished Fellow Award from the American College of Cardiology. At the University of Chicago, Mort was a respected and well-loved faculty member. Of all of his roles at the University, Mort was especially interested in mentoring medical residents and cardiology fellows, and was sought after by these trainees.

Mort joined the editorial board of Perspectives in Biology and Medicine as book review editor in 1993. At that time, our book review editor was Edward Garber. Ed was a geneticist, whose interests were more in the biology side of "Biology and Medicine"; the plan was for Mort to be responsible for books in medicine while Ed would continue to handle reviews of biology books. When Ed retired several years later, it was clear that Mort had the breadth of knowledge and interest to be able to handle reviews in all areas under the purview of the journal. I was always impressed, indeed amazed, at his ability not only to identify books worth bringing to the attention of our readers, but in finding expert and appropriate reviewers. He was also innovative, introducing essay reviews, which have become a staple of the journal, and arranging for reviews of Web sites, museum exhibits, and other media as well as books. Mort was a wise man and a strong supporter of the journal. I frequently turned to him for counsel, as I'm sure many other people did. All of his friends and colleagues mourn his loss, and readers of the journal who didn't know him will miss his influence.