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William Frankland

Dr Bill Frankland.jpg
William Frankland in 2006
Born
Alfred William Frankland

(1912-03-19)19 March 1912
Sussex, England, UK
Died 2 April 2020(2020-04-02) (aged 108)
London, England, UK
Cause of death COVID-19
Nationality British
Education St. Bees School
Alma mater University of Oxford
Occupation Allergist
Military career
Allegiance  Great Britain
Service/branch  British Army

Alfred William Frankland (19 March 1912 – 2 April 2020) was a famous British doctor. He was an allergist, which means he specialized in treating allergies. Dr. Frankland is well-known for two important things: helping to track the pollen count for the public and predicting problems with penicillin allergies.

He lived a very long life, reaching 108 years old.

Who Was William Frankland?

William Frankland was born in Sussex, England, in 1912. He studied at St. Bees School and then went to the University of Oxford. After his studies, he became a doctor. He chose to focus on allergies, which are when your body reacts badly to certain things like pollen or food.

During his life, he also served in the military. He was part of the British Army during World War II.

Helping People with Allergies

Dr. Frankland made a big difference in how we understand and deal with allergies.

Tracking Pollen Count

One of his most important contributions was helping to make the "pollen count" a regular part of weather reports. Pollen is a fine powder from plants that can cause allergies like hay fever. By knowing the pollen count, people with allergies can prepare for days when there will be a lot of pollen in the air. This helps them manage their symptoms better.

Understanding Penicillin Allergies

He also did important work on allergies to penicillin. Penicillin is a very common medicine used to fight infections. Dr. Frankland helped predict that more people would become allergic to penicillin as it was used more often. His research helped doctors understand how to test for and manage these allergies safely.

A Long and Amazing Life

William Frankland lived for over a century! He turned 100 years old in March 2012. Even in his later years, he remained active and recognized for his work.

In 2015, when he was 103, he appeared on a TV show called Britain's Greatest Generation on BBC Two. He also shared his life story on the radio show Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4.

Special Awards

Dr. Frankland received several special awards for his dedication and work.

In June 2015, at the age of 103, he was given an MBE. This award is a great honor from the Queen of England for people who have done amazing things for their country. He received it for his services to allergy research.

Just a month later, in July 2015, he received another award called the badge of the Order of Mercy. At 103, he was the oldest person ever to receive this award, which recognizes people who have done voluntary service or helped others.

His Final Years

William Frankland continued to live a full life. He passed away on 2 April 2020, in London. He was 108 years old. The cause of his death was COVID-19.

Dr. Frankland's work helped millions of people understand and manage their allergies better. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of allergy research.

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