Charles Arthur St Hill
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7428.1408-a (Published 11 December 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:1408Data supplement
Charles Arthur St Hill
Pathologist who was involved in many high profile criminal cases, including the Moors murders
Former consultant pathologist Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, and Home Office pathologist (b Bristol 1916; q Bristol 1939; FRCPath), d 15 October 2003.
A Bristolian, Charles was educated at Bristol Grammar School and Bristol University, where he showed an early interest in pathology by winning the Butterworth prize of the Royal College of Pathologists. His early career was in Bristol, where he became lecturer in pathology at the university. He then moved to Liverpool following his appointment as consultant pathologist to the Royal Southern Hospital. He built up a reputation as a clinical pathologist and provided an excellent service to his colleagues both in hospital and general practice. His office in the laboratory in many ways became the hub of the hospital, where one could always go for help with a difficult problem, or even a quiet chat and a cup of coffee.
The second part of his career was that of Home Office pathologist for the Liverpool area and the north west. He held this position for many years with distinction and was awarded the Silver Jubilee medal and was elected an honorary fellow of the Association of Forensic Medicine. His name was constantly in the press and for many years he was therefore probably the most well known doctor in the area. He appeared in many high profile murder cases including the Moors murders, which incidentally he would never discuss even with colleagues. He was director of the sub-department of forensic medicine at the University of Liverpool and was responsible for teaching forensic medicine and general pathology to generations of Liverpool medical students. The exciting nature of his subject always guaranteed a full house at his lectures.
Despite a punishing schedule of hospital and Home Office commitments he found time for academic work, contributing to textbooks and writing articles. Subjects included tuberculosis and forensic medicine, and towards the end of his career he was an important member of a research team that investigated the immunological mechanisms responsible for the survival of the fetal homograft.
His main hobby was gardening and his garden, particularly the rockery, was a thing of beauty and a true work of art. He was a family man devoted to Grace and his three daughters and the extended family. Charles St Hill was a major figure in Liverpool medicine, but, despite his high profile life in the public domain, he remained a humble man always available to offer friendship, help, and advice to colleagues. Charles St Hill was affectionately known as “The Saint” by his students and laboratory technicians, and there is more than a ring of truth in this appellation. [Ronald Finn]
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