Edward Petronell Manby facts for kids

Edward Petronell Manby (1864-1929) was an important doctor who worked for the British government's Ministry of Health. He was known for his deep understanding of healthcare for people in need, often called "Poor Law" medicine back then.

Edward Manby's Early Life

Edward Manby was born on August 19, 1864. He was the youngest son of Frederick Manby, who was also a doctor, and his wife Catherine Reeve. Edward grew up in a family of doctors in East Rudham, Norfolk. Both his father and grandfather had practiced medicine there.

Edward and two of his older brothers went to Epsom College. This school was started in 1853. It aimed to give a good education to sons of doctors for £25 a year. Edward's older brother, Alan Reeve Manby, became a special doctor for the Prince of Wales at Sandringham House. Another older brother, Frederic Edward Manby, became a surgeon at a hospital in Wolverhampton. He even served as the Mayor of Wolverhampton in 1888-1889.

Edward Manby's Medical Career

After finishing Epsom College in 1881, Edward Manby studied medicine. He went to Christ's College, Cambridge and Guy's Hospital. He earned his MRCS (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons) in 1886. He then received his MD (Doctor of Medicine) in 1891. In 1894, he got a DPH (Department of Health & Primary Care) PhD from Cambridge.

In the early 1890s, he worked as a doctor in Liverpool. By 1897, he became the Assistant Port Sanitary Medical Officer. This was his first job advising the local and central government on health matters. Around 1900, he moved back to London.

Edward Manby held several important positions. He was a medical officer at the Fountain Fever Hospital in Tooting. He also became an examiner in Public Health for several universities. These included London, Liverpool, and Leeds. He was also a member of the British Medical Association.

His last job was as a medical officer at the Ministry of Health. Here, he became an expert on hospitals that cared for poor people in London. A colleague, Dr. F. N. Kay Menzies, praised him highly. He said that Manby knew more about healthcare for the poor than almost anyone else. His death was a great loss, especially with new laws about local government coming soon.

Family Life and Passing

Grave of Edward Petronell Manby in Highgate Cemetery

Edward Manby married Mary Bruce in 1912 when he was 47 years old. They had one son together, named John Edward, who was called Jack (1914-1993).

Edward Petronell Manby passed away on September 20, 1929. He is buried with his wife Mary, who died in 1960. Their grave is on the west side of Highgate Cemetery in London.