The January 2011 issue of The Journal of Antibiotics is dedicated to the memory of Professor. C. Richard Hutchinson, a pathfinder who made remarkable contributions to modern natural product biology. The special issue provides a diverse collection of Reviews, Original Research Articles and Notes on various aspects of natural product discovery, biosynthesis, engineering, and drug discovery and development, which have been passionately contributed by many of his former students, postdoctoral fellows, collaborators, colleagues and friends. Professor Hutchinson will be remembered for his strength of spirit, zeal for life and new experiences, and his boundless intellectual curiosity. As a tribute to Dr. Hutchinson's distinguished career, the accompanying web focus brings together a collection of articles published in The Journal of Antibiotics, and other related publications.