Melville Arnott facts for kids

Sir William Melville Arnott (born January 14, 1909 – died September 17, 1999) was a very important Scottish doctor and professor. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was a minister.

William Arnott studied at the University of Edinburgh. He earned his first degree in 1931. In 1937, he received his MD degree. This means he became a fully qualified doctor. His special research was about a type of high blood pressure.

Serving in World War II

During the Second World War, William Arnott joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. This was a group of doctors who helped soldiers in the army. He served in places like Singapore and Tobruk.

At the end of the war in Europe, he was one of the first medical officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. He helped many people there. For his bravery and service, he received a special award called the Military Cross in 1940.

A Career in Medicine

In 1946, Dr. Arnott became a top professor at the University of Birmingham. He held the important position of William Withering Chair in Medicine. This meant he was a leading teacher and researcher in medicine.

He also helped guide medical education in other ways. He was part of the General Medical Council. This group helps make rules for doctors. He also worked with the Nuffield Foundation. From 1957 to 1959, he helped plan a new medical school. This school was set up in Rhodesia, which is now Zimbabwe.

In 1963, Dr. Arnott gave a famous lecture. It was called the Croonian Lecture at the Royal College of Physicians. He talked about how the lungs work when someone has a heart problem. In 1971, he was honored by the Queen. He was made a knight, which is why he was called "Sir William."

Retirement and Legacy

Sir William retired from his main teaching job in Birmingham in 1971. But he didn't stop working completely! He then became the head of a new heart department. The British Heart Foundation had created this department in Birmingham. He led this team until he fully retired in 1974.

Sir William Melville Arnott passed away in Birmingham in 1999. He had married Dorothy Hill in 1938. They had one son together.