Adam Lothian Turnbull

Adam Lothian Turnbull was born in Woking, Surrey, the fourth child of Hubert Maitland Turnbull DM FRCP FRCPath FRS and Catherine Nairne Arnold (neé Baker). His father had qualified in medicine at Oxford and the London Hospital Medical College in 1902, became director of the institute of pathology (the Bernhard Baron institute) at the London in 1906, and was subsequently the first professor of morbid anatomy at the University of London.

Adam’s ancestry was Scottish, although he and his siblings grew up in England. He was educated at Winchester; Magdalen College, Oxford; and the London Hospital Medical College. At Oxford his love of music, especially classical music, developed. He also participated in amateur dramatics, both backstage and as a leading member of the cast. He spent three years at Oxford gaining First BM and BA Physiology and, in September 1944, moved to the London Hospital Medical College for clinical studies at both the London Hospital in Whitechapel and its annexe at Brentwood. As an undergraduate he became involved in the production of the London Hospital Gazette, then a student publication. He also took part in the annual Christmas show, first on stage, then as director. After qualifying he led the part of the show presented by the resident house staff.

After qualifying in 1947 he became house physician to the medical unit, directed by Clifford Wilson, which included responsibility for the rheumatology beds under Will Tegner and …