Topics discussed include: John Jefferies's family background and education in Western Australia, 1925-1942; undergraduate studies at the University of Western Australia, 1942-1946 and graduate studies at University of Cambridge, 1947-1949; work at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, 1949-1956 and research with Ronald Giovanelli on radiation transfer and spectra; moving to the United States; Harvard University; Sacramento Peak Observatory; High Altitude Observatory; National Bureau of Standards; founding of Joint Institute for Laboratory Astronomy at Boulder, Colorado; Scientific work on Non-LTE (Local Thermo-dynamic Equilibrium) with Richard V. Thomas; work on calcium lines; book on spectral line formation; use of techniques for terrestrial plasmas; developling the astronomy program at University of Hawaii including the 88-inch telescope and work with Gerard Kuiper; formation of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corportation; NASA and United Kingsom infrared and extragalactic telescopes and programs; thoughts on various panels he served on including National Science Foundation Advisory Panel for Optical Astronomy, Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Visiting Committee, and NASA Physical Sciences Committee.