Imrich Friedmann
BMJ 2002; 325 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7364.601 (Published 14 September 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;325:601Data supplement
- Imrich Friedmann
The founding father of ear, nose, and throat pathology
Imrich Friedman, emeritus professor of pathology Institute of Laryngology and Otology, University of London (b Czechoslovakia 1907; q Prague 1931; MD, DSc, FRCPath, FRCS), d 11 July 2002.
After showing an early interest in pathology, he became pathologist in chief at Zlin, Czechoslovakia, in 1936. Three years later, when Czechoslovakia was overthrown by Nazi forces, he managed to escape to England, where, after two years at University College Hospital in London, he obtained English qualifications in 1942. The following year he married Joan Drew but was soon to be separated from her when he was called up for military service in the Free Czech Army. She rejoined him in 1945 but he was soon forced once again to flee his native country, this time after communist invasion, and again he came to England, where he lived for the rest of his life. An appointment at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology in 1949 set him on the career path that gained him worldwide fame. In 1963 he became professor of pathology at the institute and a founder fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. He gained his DSc in 1967 and retired from the chair in 1972, after which he was appointed visiting histopathologist at Northwick Park Hospital. He continued to visit that hospital on a part time basis well into his 90s. Professor Jan Betka of Prague recently described him as the founding father of ear, nose, and throat pathology.
His opinion was widely sought by clinicians and other pathologists and, as well as making numerous contributions to the specialist literature, he held visiting lectureships throughout the British Isles and mainland Europe, the Middle and Far East, South Africa, and North, Central, and South America. For many years he was a member of the international Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologicum and for more than 50 years he was adviser in pathology to the Journal of Laryngology and Otology.
After his retirement from his chair in London, Professor Friedmann held visiting professorships in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Jerusalem, and he received many honours. The most highly prized of these were the gold medal of the Slovakian Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992 and an honorary fellowship of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1999.
A lifelong lover of music, he played the violin in two medical orchestras—the Three Hospitals Orchestra under the direction of the late Norman Del Mar and subsequently the Hospitals Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Colin (now Sir Colin) Davis.
Throughout almost 60 years of marriage he enjoyed the loving support of his wife Joan. He died only a few weeks after his 95th birthday. [John Ballantyne CBE, FRCS]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a