Charles Harold Edwards

For most of his professional life Harold Edwards practised neurology without the latest technology, basing this on history taking, observation, and meticulous clinical observation, at which he was a master. Not surprisingly his ward rounds were packed with eager students. As the first director of clinical studies at St Mary's Hospital Medical School he introduced progressive assessment and initiated the elective period; the latter had to be self funded but if there was any financial difficulty he helped arrange scholarships. Harold had spent some of his early training in general practice, and realising the importance of this experience he increased the number of practices associated with the medical school so that each student could experience it. Despite selection by A level results he believed that each student should also have a personal interview to assess his or her suitability to study medicine. He knew virtually each student by name.

In Who's Who he mentioned “words” as a hobby: his speeches were examples of detailed …