Terry Higgins
Encyclopedia
Terrence Higgins, known as Terry Higgins, (1945-4 July 1982) was among the first people known to die of an AIDS
-related illness in England
. He died on July 4, 1982. He worked as a Hansard
reporter in the House of Commons
and as a barman in the nightclub Heaven
. He collapsed while working at Heaven and was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital
, London
where he died of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
some weeks later.
Martyn Butler (b. 1954) Tony Calvert (b. 1956) and Terrence Higgins's boyfriend Rupert Whitaker
(b. 1963) set up The Terry Higgins Trust, which was later renamed the Terrence Higgins Trust
in his memory, dedicated to preventing the spread and promoting awareness of the disease. Whitaker went on to study medicine and became a medical scientist working on HIV
and AIDS
related illness.
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
-related illness in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He died on July 4, 1982. He worked as a Hansard
Hansard
Hansard is the name of the printed transcripts of parliamentary debates in the Westminster system of government. It is named after Thomas Curson Hansard, an early printer and publisher of these transcripts.-Origins:...
reporter in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
and as a barman in the nightclub Heaven
Heaven (nightclub)
Heaven is a Superclub in London, England which appeals predominantly to the gay market. It is located underneath Charing Cross railway station in Central London, just off Trafalgar Square.-Early history:...
. He collapsed while working at Heaven and was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS hospital in London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It has provided health care freely or under charitable auspices since the 12th century and was originally located in Southwark.St Thomas' Hospital is accessible...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where he died of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy , also known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis, is a rare and usually fatal viral disease that is characterized by progressive damage or inflammation of the white matter of the brain at multiple locations .It occurs almost exclusively in...
some weeks later.
Martyn Butler (b. 1954) Tony Calvert (b. 1956) and Terrence Higgins's boyfriend Rupert Whitaker
Rupert Whitaker
Dr Rupert Whitaker is founder and Chairman of the Tuke Institute, an international think-tank that promotes standards in medicine and medical science. He was one of the founders of Terrence Higgins Trust a charity set up to provide direct services for people with HIV and to advocate on their behalf...
(b. 1963) set up The Terry Higgins Trust, which was later renamed the Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...
in his memory, dedicated to preventing the spread and promoting awareness of the disease. Whitaker went on to study medicine and became a medical scientist working on HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
related illness.
See also
- Timeline of early AIDS casesTimeline of early AIDS casesThis article is a timeline of early AIDS cases.An AIDS case is classified as "early" if the death occurred before 18 June 1981, when the AIDS epidemic was formally recognized by medical professionals in the United States.-1959:...