Robert Harvard Davis

Professor emeritus of general practice University of Wales College of Medicine, 1979-86 (b Cardiff 1924; q Oxford/Guy's 1947; DM, FRCGP), d 16 January 1999. He gained a cricket blue at Oxford and opened the batting against Cambridge at Lord's. After house appointments he joined his father's practice in Llandaff and then founded a new practice in the Llanedeyrn Health Centre. Robert was a prime mover in establishing general practice as an academic discipline. In 1972 he was given the title of honorary director of the general practice teaching unit, becoming reader in general practice in 1973 and foundation professor in 1979. He developed a solid core of research and teaching activity, and was invited to sit on many advisory bodies. He was able to create a milieu where talented people could find fulfilment. He chaired the Standing Medical Advisory Committee's subcommittee, which produced the report on the organisation of group practice. Robert was a founder member of the Royal …