CHARLES PARSONS, M.D
1922
BMJ (Clinical Research Edition)
ConsultiDg Medical Officer to Dover Hospital. and one time Treasurer of the British Medical Association. THE death of Dr.--Clharles Parsons of Dover, briefly noticed in ouir issuc of last week, removes one who in Ihis-day td generation ulnassumingly did good work for the profession. He rendered great services to thie British Medical -Association thlrouglhout almost the wlhole oflbis pro'essional career, and tlie Soutti-Eastern Branch, which included the couLnties of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex,
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... efited greatly from Ilis keenness; business capacities, and foresiglht. lie waA boirn in 1833. aud was educated at King's C0ollege, London, and Edinburgh; lie took the diplomas of M.R.C.S. and L.S.A. in 1855, and graduated M.D.Edin'., with honours and the gold medal, in 1864. After lholding the offices of lhouse-plhysician and assistant'hoduse-surgeon at King's College Hospital lie was for some time lhouse-surgeon to the Northi Staffordshire Infirmary. He settled in Dover in 1868 and was alpointed medical officer to tho Royal Victoria Hospital there. He Letained tlhe position for tihirty years, and during hiis long life in Dovcioccupied a leading position in medical and social life. He took a great interest in education, and was one of tlle founders of the Dover College, whli6h now ranks hligh among public schools. He also organized and was secretary for many years of -the Cambridge Local examinations. He was a keen and expert musician, was for many years president of the Dover Clhoral Union, and often took part in public concerts. He retired fr6m practice in 1908, and went to live at Tunbridge Wells, where lie died in his 90th vear. He had seven sons and four dauglhters; of Ihis sons only twvo survive hiim. Several of them gave their lives for their counitry in the Soutlh African war and in tlle great war, tlhree dying between 1914 and 1918. Few men did more loyal and single-hearted work for the British Medical Association. He was secretary of the old South-Eastern Branclh from 1871 to 1873, secretary and treasuLrer of tlhat Branclh 1888 to 1891, and president of it in 1893. He was a member of-the Central Council from 1888 to 1899 and treasurer fromn 1896 to 1899. Dyina at so great an age and being out of public -work since 1908, many of tile youngaer men do not know tlje great work Parsons did, bu't lie ranks Iligh in the estimation of men whlo knew him. Most bonourable ini all his professional work-the kindest and most sympathetic of men-h'e was respected by his fellow citizens and loved by all: Ihis work will long remain. He was buried at Dover on TLuesday, Marcll 28tlh. WV. J. TysoN. Sir JENNER VERRALL, WhIO succeeded Dr. Parsons as HIonorary Secretary of the South-Ertstern Branclh, writes: Thlinkingof Dr. Chmarlcs Parsons carries one back to tile old days before tlie present constitution of tlle Association was devised. Before lie became Treasurer of the Association lie gave many years of service as Secretary of the Soutl. EasternaBranch (Kent, Sussex, and Surrey). Apart from tlhe Council and the permanent officials tlle Branch organization was then tlhe sole means by whicil the influence of the Association could be brought to bear iandco-ordinated action be talken. Unless you paid a small extra subscription for the purpose you were not a member of any Branch, and many who were not keen about medico-political worki and local meetings remained unattached. For securing as large a proportion of Branclh members as possible, for keeping in touch with all parts of a large area, and for fostering corporate feeling in the Brancl, Dr. Parsons's energy and patience, his genial presence and kindly,nature, were invaluable.-We htave become accustomed to the very complete machinery tow atour service, and only those who remember the less efficient time can realize liow much we owe to men like Parsons, pioneer in co-operativeefforts.
doi:10.1136/bmj.1.3197.584
fatcat:v4jj5ihg4vhhtc7n5vl3igxnvi