Raymond P. Ahlquist, Ph.D., was born in Missoula, Montana on 26 July 1914. In 1937 he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Washington. He went on to obtain a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Philosophy (both in Pharmacology) for the University of Washington in 1937 and 1940. Before accepting a professorship at the Medical College of Georgia, Ahlquist taught at the University of Washington (teaching fellow, 1935-39) and at the South Dakota State College (1940-44).

Ahlquist became an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Medical College of Georgia in 1944 and then an Associate Professor in 1946. He was named the Professor and Chairman of the Pharmacology Department in 1948 and served as Chairman until 1963. From 1963-1970, in addition to serving as a Professor, Ahlquist was the Associate Dean of the School of Medicine and the ResearchCoordinator. He resumed duties as the Pharmacology Chairman and Professor in 1970 and served as such until 1977 when he was named the Charbonnier Professor of Pharmacology. Ahlquist was a member of numerous professional societies, and he authored over 200 scientific papers and served on the editorial board of several journals.

Ahlquist was internationally recognized as the originator of the alpha- and beta-receptor concept of the andrenergic system. His paper hypothesizing this theory, “A Study of the Adrenotropic Receptors” was published by the American Journal of Physiology in 1948 (153:586). His investigations led the way of the development of beta-blocking drugs used to treat blood pressure. In 1976 Ahlquist was honored with the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award and the Ciba Award for Hypertension Research.

Ahlquist was married to Dorotha Duff. He died on April 15, 1983 at the age of 68 while still serving as the Charbonnier Professor of Pharmacology.