Charles Maclay

Charles Workman Maclay FRCS, FRCSED, FRFPSGLAS (4 November 1913 – 12 April 1978) was a Scottish anatomist and consultant surgeon.

Early life Maclay was born in Glasgow and educated at Glasgow Academy and Strathallan School, Perthshire. In 1937, one year after graduation, he became senior demonstrator and lecturer in anatomy at King's College, University of London. Maclay was one of those who took part in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944. He was proficient in French and German, had a knowledge of Italian and Afrikaans and over time developed an ability in certain African languages.

In 1964 Maclay became senior lecturer in anatomy at the Durban Medical School, University of Natal. He accepted the same position at the University of Cape Town in 1970, before returning to the University of Natal in 1974. Maclay evolved a series of diagrams for teaching gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology and a masterpiece of concise instruction in applied anatomy.