Dr John Frederick Wilkinson
(1897 - 1998)
Dr
John Frederick Wilkinson who died on the 13th August 1998, at the age of 101, served the
Society as President in 1956 and served as Honorary Editor from 1956 onwards.
Born in Manchester, he was one of the founders
of haematology as a clinical speciality in Britain. Initially trained as a chemist, his
undergraduate studies were interrupted by the First World War. Within a year of graduation
he was lecturer in medicine at the University of Manchester and Director of the new
department of clinical investigation at Manchester Royal Infirmary. He held honorary
posts at Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute. He carried out much early research
into pernicious anaemia and malignant blood diseases and was a pioneer of the use of
nitrogen mustards in treating lymphomas and chronic leukaemia. He wrote many papers, was
cofounder of the British Society of Haematology, a president of the European Haematology
Society, and a life councillor of the International Haematology Society.
He had a large private practice. On working days his Rolls-Royce would be parked
outside his consulting wing adjacent to the private wing of the Royal Infirmary so that he
had easy access to his hospital department. NHS wards, and private patients. He retired
from the NHS in 1962, but patients were still being referred to him in his 90s.
Outside medicine his interests were scouting, animals (he was director and vice
chairman of Chester Zoo), and old pharmacy jars, which are now housed in a special gallery
in the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds.
(from the BMJ, CDR Pengelly, C G
Geary)
MANCHESTER
MEDICAL SOCIETY