The late BARTON BIGGS was as familiar a figure in the investment world as John Bogle, Warren Buffett, George Soros, or Mario Gabelli. He spent thirty years as a senior partner at Morgan Stanley, during which time he formed Morgan Stanley's #1-ranked research department, built its investment management business, was chairman of the investment management firm, and then became the firm's leading global strategist. After Morgan Stanley merged with Dean Witter in 1996, Biggs was a member of the five-man executive committee that ran the firm. In 2003, Biggs left Morgan Stanley and, with two other partners, formed Traxis Partners, a multibillion-dollar hedge fund. Biggs was named by Institutional Investor magazine to its "All-America Research Team" ten times, spoke frequently at forums around the globe, and appeared on CNBC and other programs on more than 300 occasions.