John Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield

John Sebastian Bach Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield KBE FRCS FRCP FRS (25 June 1888-6 March 1961) was a British peer, doctor and anatomist. He is also a former Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University. Lord Stopford has been described as "one of the greatest anatomists of this century". ["In Memoriam: Lord Stopford of Fallowfield" (1961), Journal of Anatomy, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1244498&pageindex=5#page]

Early life and education

Stopford was born in Hindley Green near Wigan, UK and was educated at Liverpool College and Manchester Grammar School. He then went to Manchester University in 1906 to read medicine. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine (MB) and Bachelor of Surgery (ChB) in 1911 with honours. ["In Memoriam: Lord Stopford of Fallowfield" (1961), Journal of Anatomy, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1244498&pageindex=2]

Early career

Having graduated, Stopford went to Rochdale Infirmary as a House Surgeon, and then to Manchester Royal Infirmary as an Assistant Medical Officer. In 1912, he returned to Manchester University as a Junior Demonstrator in Anatomy, working under Prof. Grafton Elliot Smith. He was later promoted to Senior Demonstrator, and received a lectureship in 1915. He also received the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 1915.

From 1915 to 1918--during the First World War--he served as a neurologist alongside his lectureship. This was firstly to the Second Western General Hospital and secondly to the Grangethorpe Hospital. He began researching sensation during this time. Stopford was awarded an MBE in 1918 for his services during the war.

Career progression

At just 31 years of age, Stopford was promoted to Professor of Anatomy at Manchester University in 1919. Prof. Grafton Elliot Smith had moved to University College Hospital in London.

During his tenure as Professor, he was Dean of the Medical School twice: between 1923 and 1927, and again between 1931 and 1933. He was also Pro Vice-Chancellor at the university between 1928 and 1930.

Stopford was appointed temporary Vice-Chancellor for sixth months in 1934 following the departure of Sir Walter Moberley. He made such a success during his time in the post that he was permanently appointed to the post, holding it for a total of twenty-two years.

He continued as Professor of Anatomy alongside his Vice-Chancellorship until 1938, when he was appointed a personal Chair in environmental neurology. He retired in 1956 and was made an Emeritus Professor.

Personal life

Stopford met Lily Allan whilst they were both undergraduates at Manchester University. The couple were married in 1916 and they had one son.

Other appointments

Stopford held a number of professional appointments during his lifetime, particularly in the field of healthcare within which he had particular experience. A selection of these appointments are below:

* Chairman-elect, University Grants Committee - illness caused his resignation before he assumed office
* Member, General Medical Council
* Chairman, Business Committee, GMC
* Chairman, Universities Bureau of the British Empire
* Vice-Chairman, Trustees of the Nuffield Foundation
* Vice-Chairman, Nuffield Hospital Fund
* Vice-Chairman, Interdepartmental Committee on Medical Schools
* Deputy Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals
* Vice-President & Life Member, Anatomical Society
* Member, Ministry of Health Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards for Consultants
* Member, Council of the Royal College of Physicians
* Chairman, Manchester Regional Hospital Board
* Chairman, Manchester Royal College of Music.

Honours

Stopford was made a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1927; the first medical graduate from Manchester University to receive such an accolade.

He was also made Honorary Advisory Anatomist at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

* 1927: Fellowship (FRS) - Royal Society
* 1937: ScD - University of Dublin
* 1939: ScD - University of Leeds
* 1941: Knighthood
* 1942: Honorary Fellowship (FRCP) - Royal College of Physicians
* 1951: ScD - University of Cambridge
* 1951; 1957: LLD and MA - University of Manchester
* 1953: LLD - University of Liverpool
* 1955: Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE)
* 1955: Honorary Fellowship (FRCS) - Royal College of Surgeons
* 1956: Freeman of Manchester
* 1957: DCL - University of Durham
* 1958: Life peerage as Baron Stopford of Fallowfield.

tyles

* Mr John Stopford (1888-1911)
* Dr John Stopford MB ChB (1911-1915)
* Dr John Stopford MB ChB MD (1915-1918)
* Dr John Stopford MB ChB MD MBE (1918-1919)
* Prof. John Stopford MB ChB MD MBE (1919-1927)
* Prof. John Stopford MB ChB MD MBE FRS (1927-1937)
* Prof. John Stopford MB ChB MD ScD MBE FRS (1937-1941)
* Prof. Sir John Stopford MB ChB MD ScD MBE FRS (1941-1942)
* Prof. Sir John Stopford MB ChB MD ScD MBE FRCP FRS (1942-1951)
* Prof. Sir John Stopford MB ChB MD ScD LLD MBE FRCP FRS (1951-1955)
* Prof. Sir John Stopford MB ChB MD ScD LLD KBE FRCP FRCS FRS (1955-1957)
* Prof. Sir John Stopford MB ChB MA MD ScD LLD DCL KBE FRCP FRCS FRS (1957-1958)
* The Rt. Hon. The Lord Stopford of Fallowfield MB ChB MA MD ScD LLD DCL KBE FRCP FRCS FRS (1958-1961)

References