Christopher John Dewhurst
Sir Christopher John Dewhurst was born on the 2nd of July 1920. He died on the 1st of December 2006, having spent his working life as a British gynecologist. The Crown knighted him in 1978 for his work in medicine. That honor arrived during his twelfth year as head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London University. He would hold that post until 1985. What exactly did a career like his build? And what drew an obstetrics professor to chair one of medicine's first international symposia on a subject the field was only beginning to name?
Dewhurst is considered one of the founders of pediatric and adolescent gynecology. The specialty covers gynecologic care for girls and younger patients, and it was new enough in his era that it needed founding. Over his career, he published 109 peer-reviewed papers and co-wrote 13 medical textbooks. From 1975 to 1978, he served as president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the professional body governing his discipline in Britain. Years before that presidency, Dewhurst had already stepped into a role quite unlike the clinical and academic work that defined most of his career.
In 1969, London hosted the 1st International Symposium on Gender Identity. Dewhurst chaired the conference and delivered its opening remarks. By speaking first at the first international gathering on that subject, Dewhurst put his name behind a field still taking shape. The title 'first' carried its own implication: it was already a promise that more gatherings would follow.
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Common questions
Who was Sir Christopher John Dewhurst?
Sir Christopher John Dewhurst was a British gynecologist born on the 2nd of July 1920 who died on the 1st of December 2006. He served as Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London University, from 1967 to 1985, and is considered one of the founders of pediatric and adolescent gynecology.
What medical specialty did Sir Christopher Dewhurst help found?
Dewhurst is considered one of the founders of the medical specialty of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, which covers gynecologic care for girls and adolescents. His 109 peer-reviewed publications and 13 co-authored medical textbooks helped build the discipline's body of literature.
When was Sir Christopher Dewhurst knighted?
Sir Christopher Dewhurst was knighted in 1978 for his work in medicine. The honor came during his tenure as Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London University, a post he held from 1967 to 1985.
What was the 1st International Symposium on Gender Identity that Sir Christopher Dewhurst chaired?
The 1st International Symposium on Gender Identity was an international medical conference held in London, United Kingdom, in 1969. Sir Christopher Dewhurst chaired the symposium and delivered its opening remarks.
How many papers and textbooks did Sir Christopher Dewhurst publish?
Dewhurst published 109 peer-reviewed papers during his career and co-wrote 13 medical textbooks. He is also considered one of the founders of the medical specialty of pediatric and adolescent gynecology.
When did Sir Christopher Dewhurst serve as president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists?
Dewhurst served as president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from 1975 to 1978. The college is the leading professional body governing obstetrics and gynaecology in Britain.
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6 references cited across the entry
- 1JournalChristopher John ("Jack") DewhurstD K Edmonds — 2007
- 2JournalProfessor Sir John Dewhurst (1920–2006)David Muram et al. — 2007
- 3Sir Jack DewhurstThe Telegraph — 28 March 2007