Donald Teare
Encyclopedia
Robert Donald Teare, FRCP
, FRCPath
(1 July 1911 – 17 January 1979) was a senior British pathologist.
on the Isle of Man
, and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
. He trained at St George's Hospital, London
from where he qualified in 1936.
, a post he held until retirement in 1975. Teare was also a lecturer at the Metropolitan Police College
, Hendon, and served as President of the Medical Defence Union
. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
and of the Royal College of Pathologists
. Teare also served as President of the British Association of Forensic Medicine. In 1973, Teare carried out the autopsy
on Bruce Lee
.
Together with Keith Simpson and Francis Camps
, Teare was one of the "Three Musketeers", who dealt with almost all the suspicious deaths in the London area.
Professor Teare was called to give evidence in many high profile criminal investigations, such as the murder of Beryl Evans and her baby Geraldine in the Timothy Evans
case. Although Evans was convicted and hanged, three years later the real killer, John Reginald Christie confessed to the crimes and many others. He was hanged, and after many enquiries, Evans was declared innocent of the crime for which he had been hanged. Teare's accident investigations included the horrific Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash
which occurred in 1952 killing 112 people.
Teare retired in 1975 and died 17 January 1979 on the Isle of Man.
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
, FRCPath
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
(1 July 1911 – 17 January 1979) was a senior British pathologist.
Early life
Teare was born 1 July 1911, and educated at King William's CollegeKing William's College
King William's College is a leading world International Baccalaureate HMC independent school for ages 3 to 18, situated near Castletown on the Isle of Man...
on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Gonville and Caius College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The college is often referred to simply as "Caius" , after its second founder, John Keys, who fashionably latinised the spelling of his name after studying in Italy.- Outline :Gonville and...
. He trained at St George's Hospital, London
St George's, University of London
St George's, University of London is a medical school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
from where he qualified in 1936.
Career
Teare began his career as a lecturer in forensic medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College. In 1963 he became reader and eventually professor of forensic medicine at Charing Cross Hospital Medical SchoolCharing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital is a general, acute hospital located in London, United Kingdom and established in 1818. It is located several miles to the west of the city centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham....
, a post he held until retirement in 1975. Teare was also a lecturer at the Metropolitan Police College
Hendon Police College
Hendon Police College is the principal training centre for London's Metropolitan Police Service. Founded with the official name of the Metropolitan Police College, the college is today officially called the Peel Centre, although its original name is still used frequently...
, Hendon, and served as President of the Medical Defence Union
Medical Defence Union
The Medical Defence Union is the largest medical defence union in the United Kingdom, and is one of three major medical defence organisations in the country.The MDU was established in 1885 and was the first of its kind in the world...
. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
and of the Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
. Teare also served as President of the British Association of Forensic Medicine. In 1973, Teare carried out the autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
.
Together with Keith Simpson and Francis Camps
Francis Camps
Francis Edward Camps, FRCP, FRCpath was a famous English pathologist notable for his work on the cases of serial killer John Christie and suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams.-Early life and training:...
, Teare was one of the "Three Musketeers", who dealt with almost all the suspicious deaths in the London area.
Professor Teare was called to give evidence in many high profile criminal investigations, such as the murder of Beryl Evans and her baby Geraldine in the Timothy Evans
Timothy Evans
Timothy John Evans was a Welshman accused of murdering his wife and daughter at their residence in Notting Hill, London in November 1949. In January 1950 Evans was tried and convicted of the murder of his daughter, and he was sentenced to death by hanging...
case. Although Evans was convicted and hanged, three years later the real killer, John Reginald Christie confessed to the crimes and many others. He was hanged, and after many enquiries, Evans was declared innocent of the crime for which he had been hanged. Teare's accident investigations included the horrific Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash
Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash
The Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash was a major railway disaster and collision on the British railway system on 8 October 1952.The accident took place from central London...
which occurred in 1952 killing 112 people.
Teare retired in 1975 and died 17 January 1979 on the Isle of Man.
See also
- Bernard SpilsburyBernard SpilsburySir Bernard Henry Spilsbury was an English pathologist. His cases include Hawley Harvey Crippen, the Seddon case and Major Armstrong poisonings, the "brides in the bath" murders by George Joseph Smith, Louis Voisin, Jean-Pierre Vaquier, the Crumbles murders, Norman Thorne, Donald Merrett, the...