OBITUARY

E dna R oe died on 31 July, 1971, in London after a long illness borne cheerfully and with great courage. This was typical of Edna, who had often given courage and hope to others in similar situations. Edna Margaret Frances Roe was born and educated in London and worked there for most of her life. Soon after graduating she joined the staff of the Research Institute of the Royal Cancer Hospital to work with W. V. Mayneord on the absorption spectra of carcinogenic hydrocarbons. This work included a study of the fluorescence of these molecules and this encounter with the excited state led to a sustained interest in the photochemistry of biologically active molecules, particularly in the fields of photodynamic action and the UV degradation of nucleic acids.