Margaret Louden

Margaret Mary Crawford Louden FRCS (6 April 1910 – 11 December 1998) was a British surgeon. Her treatment for Crush Syndrome saved hundreds of people dug out from the buildings damaged from The Blitz bombings, while she was serving as consultant surgeon at the South London Hospital for Women and Children.

Education Born in Palmers Green, in North London, she attended Princess Helena School in Dulwich and St Paul's Girls' School from September 1924 to July 1928. During her time at SPGS she organised history competitions, captained cricket and hockey teams while also showing talent for music and art. Four years later Louden became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a consultant at the South London Hospital for Women and Children, which was staffed only by female doctors. During World War II, Louden treated casualties including soldiers, pilots and civilians, describing Crush Syndrome and its treatment but she did not write up her work which meant her notable contribution was forgotten.

Louden treated Sir James Martin, the inventor of the ejector seat, after he was injured in a fight, and they became friends with Louden advising the engineer on the effects of ejection on the skeleton. It took 40 police officers to break the nine-month sit-in at the hospital and it remained boarded up for two decades before conversion and the rear/basement given over to further flats and a Tesco supermarket.

Personal life and death Louden married Derek Martin, the museum curator of Great Ormond Street Hospital, in 1937. They had two daughters. In 1962, she married Bernard Simpson, a consultant engineer.

Louden died aged 88 on 11 December 1998, leaving two daughters by her first marriage and three grandchildren.