Arthur T Porter

Arthur Porter was one of the most colourful doctors I have had the privilege to meet. Born in Sierra Leone, he was educated in Freetown and Nairobi. He entered Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he read medicine. I met him at Addenbrooke’s Hospital 35 years ago, when he became my first ever houseman. He was a tremendous organiser, had wonderful empathy with patients, and I was so delighted when he announced he wanted to do oncology.

His career was meteoric. After senior house officer posts in London and Cambridge, …