Sir Richard Bayliss was one of the last great general physicians. He was a great speaker, who gave Harveian and Croonian orations at the Royal College of Physicians, and taught two generations of doctors at St Thomas', the Hammersmith, and Westminster Hospitals. He was physician to the queen and royal household for two decades. He was generous with his time and helped the careers of his students and protégés. His support and friendship to colleagues never faded, no matter how important he became.

Bayliss was born in Shropshire. His father was managing director of the firm of ironmasters that made the railings and ornamental gates for Regent's Park. From Rugby School he did his preclinical studies at Clare College Cambridge, where he was a member of the Cambridge Footlights. He undertook his clinical studies at St Thomas' and played in a jazz/swing band. He qualified in 1941 and stayed on as house officer and registrar. From 1944 to 1945 he was resident assistant physician, a post that usually led to being made a …