Throughout his career Sir Robert Wilson has demonstrated that advances in a wide variety of fields in astrophysics and laboratory physics are achievable through the application of fundamental plasma spectroscopy. His work has included: optical studies that probed the nature of interstellar dust and first revealed the existence of O star winds; vacuum ultraviolet and X-ray diagnosis of fusion plasmas; rocket ultraviolet and X-ray observations of the Sun; and the conception, development and use of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite which has contributed greatly to stellar, interstellar and extragalactic astrophysics. This volume contains reviews honouring Sir Robert and reflecting his interests.