Sir George Frederic Still
Encyclopedia
Sir George Frederic Still, KCVO
(27 February 1868—28 June 1941) was an English paediatrician
and author of numerous medical textbooks and articles who first described a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis
which bears his name, as well as being the first to describe ADHD. He is frequently referenced as the "father of British paediatrics".
, London Borough of Islington
and educated at Merchant Taylors' School
and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1897, he published his doctoral thesis describing a form of childhood febrile arthritis today known as Still's disease
. He was also the one to initially describe the symptoms of ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
). Other medical terms named after him include Still's murmur
and Still's rash.
During most of his adult life, Still's avocation
was reading works from antiquity in their original languages. He was fluent in Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Arabic. His choice of profession, however, was medicine and he devoted his life to pediatrics, writing prolifically about childhood diseases and serving as Secretary of the Children's Clinical Club. His life was dedicated to improving afflicted children's chance at survival, and particularly patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital
. He was knighted upon retiring in 1937.
George Frederic Still died in Salisbury
at the age of 73.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(27 February 1868—28 June 1941) was an English paediatrician
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
and author of numerous medical textbooks and articles who first described a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of persistent arthritis in children. JIA is a subset of arthritis seen in childhood, which may be transient and...
which bears his name, as well as being the first to describe ADHD. He is frequently referenced as the "father of British paediatrics".
Background
George Frederick Still was born in HighburyHighbury
- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
, London Borough of Islington
London Borough of Islington
The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. It was formed in 1965 by merging the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies, Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury...
and educated at Merchant Taylors' School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1897, he published his doctoral thesis describing a form of childhood febrile arthritis today known as Still's disease
Still's disease
Still's disease can refer to:* Juvenile idiopathic arthritis* Adult-onset Still's disease...
. He was also the one to initially describe the symptoms of ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder. It is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.ADHD is the most commonly studied and...
). Other medical terms named after him include Still's murmur
Still's murmur
Still's murmur is a form of benign paediatric heart murmur.It is named for Sir George Frederick Still....
and Still's rash.
During most of his adult life, Still's avocation
Avocation
An avocation is an activity that one engages in as a hobby outside one's main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside of their workplaces were their true passions in life...
was reading works from antiquity in their original languages. He was fluent in Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Arabic. His choice of profession, however, was medicine and he devoted his life to pediatrics, writing prolifically about childhood diseases and serving as Secretary of the Children's Clinical Club. His life was dedicated to improving afflicted children's chance at survival, and particularly patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
. He was knighted upon retiring in 1937.
George Frederic Still died in Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
at the age of 73.