Harold Percival Himsworth
Encyclopedia
Sir Harold Percival Himsworth, KCB (19 May 1905 – 1 November 1993) was a British
scientist, best known for his medical research on diabetes mellitus
.
, West Yorkshire
, the son of Joseph Arnold Himsworth and educated at the local Spring Grove School and King James's Grammar School, Almondbury. He married Charlotte Gray in 1932: they had two sons.
at the University of London
and trained in University College Hospital
(UCH). His early involvement in medical research (especially of diabetes and later of liver disease
) would lead to an important 1936 paper in The Lancet
, distinguishing the two main types of diabetes. He delivered the Goulstonian Lecture at the Royal College of Physicians
in 1939 entitled Mechanism of diabetes mellitus
He was appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of London
and the Secretary of the Medical Research Council
(MRC) for the very long period of 1949-1968.
He was awarded a KCB in the New Year honours
of 1952 and in 1953 was appointed Honorary Physician to the Queen. he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in March, 1955.
The Prime Minister of the day saw Sir Harold Himsworth's report about the 'committee considering the effects of ..... nuclear radiation' The Prime Minister's comment was "A pity, but we cannot help it". (dated 16 Nov 1955). From the office of AERE Directors Office.
His archives are being held by the Wellcome Library
, London.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
scientist, best known for his medical research on diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
.
Early life
He was born in HuddersfieldHuddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, the son of Joseph Arnold Himsworth and educated at the local Spring Grove School and King James's Grammar School, Almondbury. He married Charlotte Gray in 1932: they had two sons.
Medical career
He studied medicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and trained in University College Hospital
University College Hospital
University College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
(UCH). His early involvement in medical research (especially of diabetes and later of liver disease
Liver disease
Liver disease is a broad term describing any single number of diseases affecting the liver.-Diseases:* Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, caused mainly by various viruses but also by some poisons , autoimmunity or hereditary conditions...
) would lead to an important 1936 paper in The Lancet
The Lancet
The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is one of the world's best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals...
, distinguishing the two main types of diabetes. He delivered the Goulstonian Lecture at the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
in 1939 entitled Mechanism of diabetes mellitus
He was appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and the Secretary of the Medical Research Council
Medical Research Council (UK)
The Medical Research Council is a publicly-funded agency responsible for co-ordinating and funding medical research in the United Kingdom. It is one of seven Research Councils in the UK and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
(MRC) for the very long period of 1949-1968.
He was awarded a KCB in the New Year honours
British honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
of 1952 and in 1953 was appointed Honorary Physician to the Queen. he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in March, 1955.
The Prime Minister of the day saw Sir Harold Himsworth's report about the 'committee considering the effects of ..... nuclear radiation' The Prime Minister's comment was "A pity, but we cannot help it". (dated 16 Nov 1955). From the office of AERE Directors Office.
His archives are being held by the Wellcome Library
Wellcome Library
The Wellcome Library is founded on the collection formed by Sir Henry Wellcome , whose personal wealth allowed him to create one of the most ambitious collections of the 20th century. Henry Wellcome's interest was the history of medicine in a broad sense and included subjects like alchemy or...
, London.
Sources
- Obituary in the Independendent
- "Sir Harold Himsworth MD FRS (1905–1993)", Diabetologia Journal, 26 February 2007 (long biography)
- "Huddersfield & District History - Connections With Titled Classes In Modern Times", Edward Law, 9 April 2002 (short biography)