Cuthbert Dukes
Encyclopedia
Cuthbert Esquire Dukes, M.D. OBE (1890–1977) was an English physician
and pathologist and author for whom the Dukes classification
for colorectal cancer is named.
Born in Bridgwater
, Somerset
, Dukes was educated at Caterham School
and graduated with an M.D. from the University of Edinburgh
in 1914. His field of choice was pathology and he would make many great contributions to the world of medicine over the course of his career. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps that was attached to the Rifle Brigade during World War I
and was awarded the OBE for his services. After the war's end he became a demonstrator in bacteriology
at University College in London, and in 1922, was the first pathologist to join the staff of St. Mark's Hospital
. It was there that he began his recognized studies on the pathology of colon cancer. He wrote several books based on his findings.
A meticulous researcher who took personal pleasure in the many cases in which his findings helped patients with colon cancer, Dukes, apparently in accordance to his humble Quaker faith, refused all honors despite the wishes of his former colleagues and lived quietly at his home in Wimbledon until his death at the age of 86.
He was the younger brother of British playwright Ashley Dukes
and MI6 agent Sir Paul Dukes
.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and pathologist and author for whom the Dukes classification
Dukes classification
In 1932 the British pathologist Cuthbert Dukes devised a famous classification system for colorectal cancer. Several different forms of the Dukes classification were developed...
for colorectal cancer is named.
Born in Bridgwater
Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, Dukes was educated at Caterham School
Caterham School
Caterham School is an independent coeducational day and boarding school in Caterham, Surrey and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.-History:...
and graduated with an M.D. from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1914. His field of choice was pathology and he would make many great contributions to the world of medicine over the course of his career. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps that was attached to the Rifle Brigade during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was awarded the OBE for his services. After the war's end he became a demonstrator in bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
at University College in London, and in 1922, was the first pathologist to join the staff of St. Mark's Hospital
St. Mark's Hospital
St. Mark's Hospital is a hospital in the Harrow and Wembley border as well as the London Borough of Harrow and London Borough of Brent border in northwest London, UK. It is the only hospital in the world to specialise entirely in intestinal and colorectal medicine and is a national and...
. It was there that he began his recognized studies on the pathology of colon cancer. He wrote several books based on his findings.
A meticulous researcher who took personal pleasure in the many cases in which his findings helped patients with colon cancer, Dukes, apparently in accordance to his humble Quaker faith, refused all honors despite the wishes of his former colleagues and lived quietly at his home in Wimbledon until his death at the age of 86.
He was the younger brother of British playwright Ashley Dukes
Ashley Dukes
Ashley Dukes was an English playwright, critic, and theatre manager.In 1933, he founded the Mercury Theatre of London and wrote plays that appeared in the London West End and on Broadway...
and MI6 agent Sir Paul Dukes
Paul Dukes
Sir Paul Dukes KBE was a British author and MI6 officer.Born in Bridgwater, Somerset, the son of an Anglican clergyman, he was educated at Caterham School in England, and Petrograd Conservatoire in Russia....
.