E. Richard Jefferys was born on October 4, 1953, in Herts, UK. He received the B.A. degree (1975) in mechanical engineering from Cambridge University; the Ph.D. degree (1979) on the control of wave energy devices was also awarded by Cambridge University after a year spent working in the Edinburgh Wave Power Project.Subsequently, he carried out research for the UK Central Electricity Generating Board on wave and tidal power before moving to University College London, where he lectured for five years on control and naval architecture. His research interests included the application of control methods to marine dynamics problems, particularly wave power, ROV control, and vessel motion prediction. He now works for Conoco (UK) Ltd. and is currently on secondment to Conoco, Inc., Houston, TX, investigating the dynamic response of floating structures, particularly tension leg platforms.