Frank William Sheffield

Frank William Sheffield

After a fleeting flirtation with orthopaedics Frank Sheffield became increasingly attracted to laboratory work, particularly in the field of virology. Following national service in the Royal Army Medical Corps he expanded his interest in the developing subject of virology in a registrar post in Sheffield. Then he migrated to London to work in the Wellcome Laboratories along with the late A J Beale (obituary BMJ 2006;332:181) and so became increasingly involved with vaccines. After a period of tutoring at University College he was appointed to a post with the Medical Research Council to investigate vaccine batches that had caused concern. This took up most of his life and he finished his working days at Porton Down involved with the production of vaccines for the armed forces.

Frank’s life was somewhat limited by monocular vision resulting from an accident in childhood, but this did not prevent him from his love of gardening, particularly growing superb vegetables. Also he undertook a large amount of literary work in retirement, especially précising for journals. Eventually glaucoma in his remaining eye caused total blindness and increasing deafness made his final days a great burden. He was agnostic and had a totally Humanitarian approach to life, being a good friend to everyone he met.

He leaves a wife, Mu, a son and a daughter. [Maurice Philpott]