John MacVicar

John MacVicar (6 November 1927 – 23 March 2011) was a British physician who was most notable for pioneering the diagnostic use of ultrasound in obstetrics as well as later, being a clinical educator. MacVicar was part of a team along with physician Ian Donald and engineer Tom Brown, who developed the worlds first obstetric ultrasound machine in 1963. Using the new technique of ultrasound, MacVicar's research transformed the treatment of gynaecological conditions in pregnant women, through the use of clinical trials.

Life John MacVicar was the youngest of six children. was a Presbyterian minister in the Church of Scotland. His brother was the prolific author Angus MacVicar. In 1965, he was appointed a lecturer at Department of Midwifery MacVicar had little experience of pure research as his background was in clinical work. However, he recognized the value of diagnostic ultrasound and believed it would play a significant role in obstetrics and gynaecology.