Papers of David Fyfe Anderson, 1904-1988, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

The collection consists of his student lecture notes from the University of Glasgow.

Administrative / Biographical History

David Fyfe Anderson was born on 8 June 1908  , only son of David Fyfe Anderson and Mary Ann Mackay of Viewfield, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. He married Elizabeth Rose McAusland of Wyndyknowe, Scotstounhill, Glasgow and had three sons and one daughter. He was educated at Strathaven Academy and the High School of Glasgow. A gifted student he was dux medallist at both schools. He proceeded to the University of Glasgow in 1921  and was awarded the William Gardiner Bursary for Medicine. He achieved an MB ChB with commendation in October 1926  .

David Anderson held several residents posts in Glasgow and then chose to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology. In 1930  , he became Assistant Surgeon at the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital and was at the same time appointed to the Royal Samaritan Hospital. He was awarded an MD by the University of Glasgow in 1935  for his thesis 'Studies, biochemical and clinical, on the toxaemias of pregnancy'. He was Rockefeller travelling fellow in 1935-1936 going to Johns Hopkins University and Hospital in Baltimore. In 1937, he became visiting obstetric surgeon in charge of wards at the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital. He was Professor of Midwifery and Diseases of Women at the Anderson College of Medicine and on the College's absorption into the University of Glasgow, was appointed to the Muirhead Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He retired from this post in 1970  .

His interests away from his profession were diverse and he was a well known figure in the City of Glasgow being made a freeman. He was a member of three incorporations - the Barbers, Bonnetmakers & Dyers and Tailors and was for two periods Deacon of the Tailors. He was an elder of the Church of Scotland for over 50 years, an organist and contributed regularly to the Church of Scotland's magazine Life & Work . In 1973  , he became an Officer of Order of St John of Jerusalem. Amongst his colleagues, his talent for poetry gained him the title of "Bard of Rottenrow". He remained Emeritus Professor at the University of Glasgow until his death on 5 July 1988  . His obituary in the British Medical Journal records him as "primarily a first class teacher and clinician. He prided himself on his clinical care and devoted his life to patients at Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital , for which he had a particular empathy."

Arrangement

The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Deposited by John Fyfe Anderson, Bishopton, Renfrewshire, Professor Anderson's son, July 1998

Other Finding Aids

Digital file level list available in searchroom. Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)) and London (NRA).

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

None which affect the use of this material

Archivist's Note

Fonds level description compiled by Moira Rankin, Senior Archivist, 19 April 2000.

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures

Custodial History

Unknown

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

No related material

Location of Originals

This material is original

Bibliography

No known publications using this material