Prof John Clutton-Brock
Known as: JCB
27/12/1912 to 13/10/1986
Place of birth: Guildford, Surrey, England
Nationality: British
CRN: 722663
Education and qualifications
|
General education |
Charterhouse School followed by Medical School at Trinity College, Cambridge and St Bartholomew’s Hospital |
|---|---|
|
Primary medical qualification(s) |
MB BChir, University of Cambridge, 1938 |
|
Initial Fellowship and type |
FFARCS by Election |
|
Year of Fellowship |
1953 |
|
Other qualification(s) |
MA, University of Cambridge, 1938 |
Professional life and career
Postgraduate career
After graduation Clutton-Brock first worked as a doctor at Bridgwater, Somerset. He then served in the RAMC before entering general practice in Lincoln. This included being Honorary Anaesthetist at Lincoln County Hospital, Scunthorpe War Memorial Hospital, Horncastle & District War Memorial Hospital, and Visiting Anaesthetist at Grantham Hospital. Anaesthesia consumed his interest, and by 1948 he was appointed Consultant Anaesthetist at Lincoln County Hospital and the City Maternity Home. In 1952 he moved sideways to Selly Oak Group Hospitals in Birmingham. His academic leaning drew him in 1953 to a post of Lecturer in Anaesthesia at the University of Bristol with consultant status. He became Head of Department in 1958 and was appointed the first Professor of Anaesthesia in Bristol in 1965. He remained in this post until his retirement in 1975 when he was appointed Professor Emeritus.
Professional interests and activities
Although some of his work remained unpublished, Clutton-Brock published over 20 papers in peer reviewed journals, on equipment, pain and the use of the EEG in anaesthesia. Importantly he published on falling temperature as an indication of shock (1947). Perhaps most notable was his astute diagnosis of lethal contamination of nitrous oxide by higher oxides of nitrogen (1967); his prompt action led to withdrawal of contaminated cylinders, saving many lives. He was one of the few UK researchers to take an interest in electrical anaesthesia. A founder member of the Anaesthetic Research Society in 1958, he later served as President of the Society of Anaesthetists of the South Western Region.
Other biographical information
Described as gentle, humourous and widely educated, he enjoyed gardening, music and making pottery. He was survived by his wife, Joyce Mary Pilling (married 1951) and their five children, including Tom who became an anaesthetist and subsequently professor.
Author and sources
Author:
Dr Alistair McKenzie
Sources and comments:
[1] Obituary. British Medical Journal 1986; 293: 1881.
[2] Baskett PJF. Professor John Clutton-Brock. Anaesthesia 1987; 42: 426.
[3] Chapter on J. Clutton-Brock in Harrison MJ. British Academic Anaesthetists 1950-2000 Vol 1. Wellington, NZ, 2011: 1-8.
[4] Medical Registers and Medical Directories.
The photograph is courtesy of Prof Tom Clutton-Brock.