Know anyone who has two PhDs? And if so, why,and if they draw on both in their current position? I was just wondering about how this sometimes occurs.

I know someone who is currently studying for two PhDs. The disciplines are related and they come together in his research (Chemistry and Physics) and initially, he was in just one program but somehow managed to find an opportunity for funding in another department so basically he applied and extended part of his research to a second project. So in the end he will end up with two dissertations, one funded and one not funded, which address two related subjects but are sufficiently different.
I am not sure how usual this is though, and I think it depends a lot on how much supervisors are willing to do it.

A colleague teacher has a PhD in Science from some years ago and more recently gained a Doctorate in Education that assesses how a specific statistical model predicts how certain types of literacy and numeracy gains in students are enhanced by specific teaching strategies. I believe he worked as a lecturer at the regional university for a while but did not enjoy academia and returned to secondary school teaching. He is a very intelligent person who loves science, research and theory.

Many years ago I was also taught by a very good and well published lecturer in History, who on taking a form of early retirement (after some brutal cutbacks at my old university of undergrad days), then spent part of her 'retirement' (if that is what you could call it) completing another doctorate in another area of research in a much larger university and centre.

I think both people genuinely love research and found that the doctorates provided them with some funding and support to run extensive projects.

Wow! Really interesting. Thanks for sharing laurelin88 and Pjlu. It crosses my mind sometimes... but then I think I must be crazy. I like the idea of retiring and doing one in a completely different area! But two at the same time - no way!