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Joseph Murray performed the first successful human kidney transplant on December 23, 1954. Forty-three years later, he along with participants Francis Moore and Leroy Vandam, commissioned a painting of the event from artist Joel Babb (1). To document this unique record of medical history, we identify all those present at the operation and depicted in the portrait, describe how the artist created the work, explain irregularities and inaccuracies in the painting, provide a 50-year follow-up on everyone involved, and comment on any influence this landmark event may have had on their subsequent careers.

Because of the over-all excellent results in the correction of many cardiac disorders which have accrued during the past several years, it is easy to take for granted the long and often painful evolution of surgery of the heart. Experimental work on the creation of valvular lesions and attempts at their repair stem back for a century, although it took until the 1920's before a few intrepid surgeons considered such procedures for clinical use. It is of interest that early attempts on repair of mitral stenosis, both in laboratory animals and in patients, were undertaken by Cushing and Cutler, two surgical innovators who succeeded each other as Moseley Professors of Surgery at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. Such early efforts in surgical manipulation of the heart opened the way for the refinements of modern cardiac surgery that have become routine.

The remarkable productivity of the later career of Cushing is well known. Energies and drive undiminished throughout his life, he contributed consistently and prolifically to the field of surgical procedures, history, biography and education at the very least. Consorting with the famous, honored over the world, his shadow is still seen. Early factors which influenced his personality and career have been analyzed herein. Many of these, individually or in concert, affected the extraordinary life of this complex man.