When I was nineteen-years old, in 1965, my older brother, Harvey, fortuitously prompted me to read several books by a clinical psychologist named Dr. Albert Ellis. Through his books, Dr. Ellis' bold beliefs and powerful personality gripped my mind and changed my course in life. I wasn't the only one thusly influenced by this extraordinary human being. Dr. Ellis died on July 24, 2007 at the age of 93. The year before, the American Psychological Association voted him the second most influential psychologist in history, out ranking Sigmund Freud.

At nineteen, as a young man from lower blue-color stock, presumption and prejudice had largely shaped and still drove my mind. Being equipped only with these poor sources of mentality, encountering the steadfast, rigorous rationality of Dr. Ellis, propelled by his courage and his mighty personality, change my life for the better in thoroughgoing ways.

Shortly into reading his books, I wanted to learn whatever I could about this extraordinary man. So I went to the Pensacola Public Library. There, a kind librarian directed me to Marquis Who's Who in America, the most authoritative source of biographical information on accomplished and influential Americans. There, I learned enough to satisfy my need to know who Dr. Ellis was.

As the years passed, I tracked back to the library and to Marquis to learn who other authors were whose books were influencing me. I did this, for example, in 1977 after reading my first book by Professor Linus Pauling, Vitamin C and the Common Cold.

A year ago, in 2007, I received an invitation from Marquis Who's Who in America to submit biographical information to their review committee. Last week, I received notice that from 2008, starting with its 62nd edition, I'll be included in Marquis.

The Marquis committee notes, "Since 1899, Who's Who in America has chronicled the lives and careers of America's most noteworthy men and women . . .  Marquis Who's Who believes the men and women around the globe whose achievements influence the people of today are worthy of permanent record, and we are proud to provide their biographical information for public record and for posterity."

I am happy that I'm still around to learn of my inclusion in Marquis, along with people whom I immensely respect, such as Dr. Ellis and Prof. Pauling. And I profoundly appreciate this most respected biographical source for recording my main contributions and making them available to those who use Marquis.

The work of Dr. Ellis (who in turn was influenced by another guiding light of mine, Lord Bertrand Russell) led to substantial relief from the deep suffering of my earlier years. Since then, I've felt sorrow for the suffering of others, and that emotion has  driven my scientific, literary, and professional work. I often question whether I've been of any help to others. The committee including me in Marquis Who's Who in American, however, gives me some solace, as it suggests that my work hasn't been in vain.