Obituaries

John Pearce (Jack to his English friends and colleagues) achieved the rare distinction of holding appointments as consultant psychiatrist in two London teaching hospitals in two different disciplines: in general adult psychiatry at St Mary's Hospital and with children and adolescents at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children. But his skill was not limited to these specialties: he was an all rounder, trained in both biological and dynamic approaches--a true eclectic and probably the last of the generalist psychiatrists. On demobilisation in 1945 he returned to his prewar work in London and gradually, by taking on new commitments and giving up old ones, concentrated his efforts on St Mary's Hospital and Medical School, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, the Royal Masonic Hospital, and his own practice.

Jack Pearce was a softly spoken, understanding man who was more interested in listening than in talking: that was one of the reasons he was such a good psychiatrist. But he had many interests outside medicine and sometimes could be persuaded to speak about them. He travelled widely in Europe and North America and was a keen golfer and an accomplished watercolour artist who also enjoyed fishing, curling, and baking his own bread. He was married twice: in 1929 to Grace (this marriage was dissolved) and in 1964 to Elizabeth. In 1988 he and Elizabeth returned to Edinburgh.--KENNETH GRANVILLE-GROSSMAN

John Dalziel Wyndham Pearce, who was a consultant psychiatrist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London, 1947-69, and assistant physician (1948-52) and physician in charge (1953-69) in the department of psychological medicine, St Mary's Hospital, London, died 25 January. Born Edinburgh, 21 February 1904; educated George Watson's College, Edinburgh, and Edinburgh University (MB, ChB 1927). Medicopsychologist, Stamford House Remand Home, London, 1936-46. Served in Royal Army Medical Corps 1939-45, becoming lieutenant colonel and adviser in psychiatry …