Retrospective interviews about Marian Elliott Koshland (1921-1997) with eight individuals--friends, family and colleagues. Koshland's support of immunology as a distinct field, role in the reorganization of biology at the University of California, Berkeley; membership and support of the Haverford College board of directors, National Immunology Society, National Science Foundation, Exploratorium board of directors, Jane Coffins Memorial Fund, Marian E. Koshland Integrated Science Center, Graduate Affairs Office in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Lawrence Hall of Science, National Academy of Sciences, National Institute of Health, Bay Area Immunology Club, American Association of Immunologists; work in the Brookhaven National Laboratory; women in science; husband Dr. Daniel Koshland, Jr., and children; balancing family life and research responsibilities.