Barbara Clayton

Dame Barbara Evelyn Clayton (2 September 1922 – 11 January 2011) was an English pathologist who made a significant contribution to clinical medicine, medical research and public service. She was latterly Professor of Clinical Pathology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

Biography

Clayton was born in Liverpool on 2 September 1922 to Constance Evelyn (née Caine) and William Clayton, a food scientist who is credited with inventing salad cream. She was educated at St Nicholas Preparatory School in Orpington

Later that year she moved to London to become the Holden research fellow at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, a position she held until 1956 when she became a chemical pathology lecturer at the School. Her research on hormones and the development of new biochemical techniques brought her recognition. Her work showed a relationship between lead poisoning and intellectual impairment.

In 1978 she became the University of Southampton's first female professor when she took up the position of Professor of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism. She was Dean of Medicine at the university from 1983 to 1986, and honorary consultant chemical pathologist at the Southampton General Hospital. In 1987 she was appointed Honorary Research Professor in Metabolism and researched the nutritional needs of the elderly, particularly those in care homes.

Awards 2000: Elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. 1999: Received the Gold Medal of the British Medical Association. 1988: Named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1988 for her contributions to science. 1983: Named Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Significant positions held 1999–2007 Honorary President of the British Nutrition Foundation 1988–1998 Chair of the Department of Health's Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. 1995–1997 President of the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Pollution. 1993–1996 Led the Nutrition Task Force for the Health of the Nation, on behalf of the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 1984–1987 President of the Royal College of Pathologists. 1981–1982 President of the Biomedical Science Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 1981–1982 President of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism. 1977–1978 President of the Association of Clinical Biochemists.