David Cuthbertson facts for kids

Sir David Paton Cuthbertson (born May 9, 1900 – died April 15, 1989) was a Scottish doctor and scientist. He was a top expert on how our bodies use food and energy, a process called metabolism. He also led the Rowett Research Institute from 1945 to 1965, helping it become a world-famous place for studying how animals get their food and grow.

His Life and Work

David Cuthbertson was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland. His father, John Cuthbertson, was a teacher. David went to Kilmarnock Academy. During the First World War, he served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. This meant he started his university studies a bit later. He studied medicine at Glasgow University and became a doctor in 1926.

David Cuthbertson worked on many important science committees. In 1943, he worked with the Medical Research Council, which helps fund medical research. He was also a Vice-President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a group of important scientists, from 1959 to 1960.

One of his early discoveries was in 1936. He noticed that people recovering from broken bones lost a lot of a substance called nitrogen. This was later called "surgical stress" and helped doctors understand how the body reacts to injuries.

From 1945 to 1965, he was the Director of the Rowett Research Institute. Under his leadership, this institute became a very important center for studying how animals get their food and how it affects their health.

Because of his important work, David Cuthbertson received several special degrees from universities like Rutgers University and Glasgow University. In 1949, he was chosen to be a special member, called a Fellow, of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Sir David Paton Cuthbertson passed away on April 15, 1989, in Troon, Scotland.

His Family

David Cuthbertson was married to Jean Telfer. They had a son named Iain Cuthbertson, who became a well-known actor.