Following 50 years of glucocorticoid use in a clinical setting, an international body of expert scientists and physicians presents a survey of glucocorticoid pharmacology. This work traces the history of glucocorticoid biology from the seminal description of glucocorticoid insufficiency by Thomas Addison in the mid-19th century, up to advances in elucidating the molecular basis of glucocorticoid action. Important discoveries are presented, as well as milestones in drug development, a survey of current clinical practice, and prospects for novel glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. This work should be of special interest to workers in the fields of endocrinology, inflammation and autoimmune disease.