Malford W. Thewlis
Encyclopedia
Malford Wilcox Thewlis was an American physician and pioneer of gerontology
, who co-founded the American Geriatrics Society
in 1942. He is commemorated by the annual Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics, established at the University of Rhode Island. As a neuropsychiatrist, he attended US President Woodrow Wilson
, following a stroke in 1919.
Dr. Thewlis was born on December 4, 1889 in Wakefield, Rhode Island
, the son of James E. Thewlis and Viola (neé Wilcox), and received his MD from the Bowdoin Medical School of Maine
in 1911. He married Miss Christiane Cherfils (1895 – 1978) of Paris, France on December 10, 1919, and they had a son, Harold, who was a professor of politics at URI. Thewlis was one of the few physicians to take note of Ignatz Leo Nascher
's 1914 book, Geriatrics: The Diseases of Old Age and Their Treatment, and devoted his life's work to care of the elderly and research into the diseases of old age. He authored "The Care of the Aged: Geriatrics", first published in 1919. Thewlis was also an accomplished amateur magician, and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
: he recommended the practice of conjuring tricks to keep the mind and hands supple. He died on June 3, 1956 and was cremated.
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
, who co-founded the American Geriatrics Society
American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society : a professional society founded on June 11, 1942 for doctors practicing geriatric medicine. Among the founding physicians were Dr. Ignatz Leo Nascher, who coined the term "geriatrics," Dr. Malford W. Thewlis, who was named the first executive secretary of the...
in 1942. He is commemorated by the annual Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics, established at the University of Rhode Island. As a neuropsychiatrist, he attended US President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
, following a stroke in 1919.
Dr. Thewlis was born on December 4, 1889 in Wakefield, Rhode Island
Wakefield, Rhode Island
Wakefield is a village in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and the commercial center of the town. Together with the village of Peace Dale, it is treated by the U.S. Census as a component of the census designated place identified as Wakefield-Peacedale, Rhode Island. South Kingston was...
, the son of James E. Thewlis and Viola (neé Wilcox), and received his MD from the Bowdoin Medical School of Maine
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
in 1911. He married Miss Christiane Cherfils (1895 – 1978) of Paris, France on December 10, 1919, and they had a son, Harold, who was a professor of politics at URI. Thewlis was one of the few physicians to take note of Ignatz Leo Nascher
Ignatz Leo Nascher
Ignatz Leo Nascher was born in Austria and later became a doctor. He coined the term "geriatrics" in 1909.- Biography :Nascher was born in Vienna, Austria, and immigrated to New York City where he was brought up Later he also assumed US-citizenship. He drew on the Austrian system of care for the...
's 1914 book, Geriatrics: The Diseases of Old Age and Their Treatment, and devoted his life's work to care of the elderly and research into the diseases of old age. He authored "The Care of the Aged: Geriatrics", first published in 1919. Thewlis was also an accomplished amateur magician, and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St...
: he recommended the practice of conjuring tricks to keep the mind and hands supple. He died on June 3, 1956 and was cremated.
Publications
- Malford W. Thewlis (1919) Geriatrics-- a treatise on senile conditions, diseases of advanced life, and care of the aged C. V. Mosby (St Louis)
- Malford W. Thewlis (1939) Preclinical medicine; preclinical states and prevention of disease Williams & Wilkins
- Malford W. Thewlis (1941) The Care of the Aged C. V. Mosby (St Louis)
- Malford W. Thewlis & Isabella Clark Swezy (1954) Handwriting and the Emotions American Graphological Society