Ian Whimster

Ian Wesley Whimster MRCPath (3 September 1923 – 18 January 1979) was a reader of dermatology histopathology at St Thomas' Hospital, London. He gained international recognition for his study of comparative anatomy and experiments with reptiles, particularly observing their colour patterns in relation to their nerve supply. He was part of the medical student team that went into Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, after it was liberated by British troops. On return, he made numerous contributions to dermatology, including the definition of keratoacanthoma, the distinction between pemphigus and pemphigoid and descriptions of melanocytes and melanoma. He died in a road traffic accident at the age of 55.

Early life Ian Whimster was born in 1923. He was educated at Lancing College, followed by Clare College, Cambridge, before gaining admission to St Thomas' Hospital medical school and then completing his MB in 1946. His early appointments were at St Thomas's where he also developed his interest in dermatology.

Career During his junior years, Whimster was part of the medical student team that went into Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, after it was liberated by British troops. His observations on humans and reptiles formed the basis of his classic papers on spottiness. stemmed from Whimster's interest in the causes of linear or sharply demarcated rashes unexplained by external stimuli.

Whimster was also a leading authority on the melanocyte and an expert in melanoma. which is presented every three years.

Selected publications