John Foster Wilson
Encyclopedia
Sir John Foster Wilson CBE
(20 January 1919, Nottingham
– 25 November 1999, Brighton
) was a public health advocate, best known for working to prevent blindness in developing countries in Africa and South and South East Asia.
Blind himself, after an accident at school in Scarborough, Wilson founded several organisations such as the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (now known as Sightsavers International), Disability Awareness in Action and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
. At his instigation, the World Health Organization
established the first International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, for which he served as president from 1974 until his retirement in 1982.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(20 January 1919, Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
– 25 November 1999, Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
) was a public health advocate, best known for working to prevent blindness in developing countries in Africa and South and South East Asia.
Blind himself, after an accident at school in Scarborough, Wilson founded several organisations such as the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (now known as Sightsavers International), Disability Awareness in Action and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness is a coordinating, umbrella organization to lead an international effort in mobilizing resources for blindness prevention activities. It was set up on January 1, 1975, by the late Sir John Wilson, the Founder President...
. At his instigation, the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
established the first International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, for which he served as president from 1974 until his retirement in 1982.
Published works
- Ghana's Handicapped Citizens (1961)
- Traveling Blind (1963)
- World Blindness and Its Prevention (1980)
Awards and honours
- Helen Keller International Award (1970)
- World Humanity Award (1978)
- Royal Society of Medicine's Richard T. Hewitt Award (1991)
- Albert Schweitzer International Prize (1993).
- OBE (1955)
- CBE (1965)
- Knighthood (1975)
- Albert Lasker Public Service Award (1979)