MA Dublin, MB BCh BAO 1902, MD 1903, DPH 1903, LM 1903.
Laird was born on 15 July 1875, the son of Dr John Laird of Sligo. He studied natural science at Trinity College Dublin, but could not make a career out of biology, so decided to take up medicine. Laird held junior positions at Cork Street Fever Hospital in Dublin and Bootle Borough Hospital before settling in general practice in Macclesfield in 1905. Laird made frequent visits to Manchester Medical School where he worked closely with Professor Lorrain Smith on pathology. Laird was a member of the Pathological Society of Great Britain and was widely respected as an amateur pathologist. He was involved in a controversy with the gas industry about negative effects of illuminating gases. In later years, Laird wrote papers on psychological subjects and was Deputy Commissioner for Medical Services giving neurological help to the Ministry of Pensions. Laird died on 1 December 1933.