A Life that Mattered: Emmanuel Ciprian Amoroso
In July 2026, Professor Peter Lees, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology at the RVC, published A Life That Mattered, a comprehensive biography of Professor Emmanuel Ciprian Amoroso, widely known within the College as 'Amo'.
The book celebrates both his remarkable scientific achievements and his profound impact as an educator, whilst offering intimate insights into Amo the man himself. In creating this biography, Professor Lees drew upon the generosity and support of the wider RVC community. Alumni and staff members contributed their own stories, anecdotes and personal experiences of Professor Amoroso, helping to create a rich and multifaceted portrait of a figure greatly admired and deeply affectioned by his colleagues and students.
Professor Lees writes:
"Emmanuel Ciprian Amoroso, known universally as Amo, was a member of academic staff of the RVC from 1934 until 1968. He was a polymath, fluent in six languages, a boxer of renown and acknowledged internationally for his work on the placenta. A gifted lecturer, orator and after-dinner speaker, his prose was characterised by clarity, coherence and a uniquely entertaining style. He was rewarded by election to a Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1957 and the award of national honours, CBE, in 1969. He was greatly admired and held in deep affection by his colleagues and students."
Sir Brian Heap reflects: "Many congratulations on drawing together so many aspects of Amo's life and achievements. It is a wonderful collection of enriching features that add so positively to the person I thought I knew. You obviously felt compelled to commit time and effort to writing this book and I am sure you will be well rewarded for a task that clearly gave you pleasure and satisfaction. The world will know more about the man we respected and admired, and it was certainly a 'life that mattered'."
Herb Symonds adds: "You have accomplished a wonderful memorial to Amo. The book is a treasure house of information and stirs my memories of my years at the RVC. I do congratulate you on the excellent quality of both the print, the photographs and the wealth of information contained between its covers."
A Life That Mattered is available for purchase at the RVC shop. All proceeds from sales are donated to the RVC Alumni Fund, supporting current and future students.
