Thomas Bewley facts for kids
Thomas Henry Bewley (born July 8, 1926 – died June 26, 2022) was an important British and Irish doctor. He was a psychiatrist, a special kind of doctor who helps people with their mental health. He was especially good at helping people who were struggling with addiction. He also became the leader, or President, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 1984 to 1987. This is a big group for mental health doctors in the UK.
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About Thomas Bewley
Early Life and Education
Thomas Bewley was born in Dublin, Ireland, on July 8, 1926. His family, the Bewleys, were Quakers, a religious group known for their strong values. They had a long history of being doctors. The Bewley family also started the famous Bewley's cafes in Dublin!
Thomas went to medical school at Trinity College Dublin from 1944 to 1950. After he finished his studies, he started working at St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin. This was a major hospital for mental health.
Helping People as a Psychiatrist
After working in Dublin, Thomas moved to London, England. He worked in different hospitals for a short time. Then, he got a job at the Maudsley Hospital, which is very well-known for mental health care.
He then spent a year in Cincinnati, USA, learning even more. When he came back in 1960, he started working at Tooting Bec Hospital. The next year, he became a 'consultant'. This means he was a senior doctor who specialized in his field and could lead a team.
Leading the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Thomas Bewley was very active in the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This is a professional group for psychiatrists in the UK. He was first chosen as the Dean, which is an important leadership role. Later, in 1987, he became the President of the College.
He even wrote a book about the history of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It was called Madness to Mental Illness. There is a portrait of Thomas Bewley hanging in the Royal College of Psychiatrists building in London. It was painted in 1988 by Professor David Tindle.
His Family Life
While working at St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin, Thomas met a young medical student named Beulah Knox. They got married in 1955 and had five children together. Their daughter, Susan Bewley, also became a doctor. She is now a Professor of Obstetrics & Women's Health at King's College London. Beulah, Thomas's wife, passed away in 2018.
