William Byam

Lieutenant-Colonel William Byam (19 August 1882 – 25 October 1963) was a British Harley Street physician whose home in Guernsey was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War. In his spare time, Byam was a noted philatelist who was added to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1949.

Early life Byam was the son of Emily née Bean and Major General William Byam who were married in Aden. William Byam junior was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, and studied medicine at St George's Hospital, London. He decided to specialise in the philately of Egypt, a country he knew well, and founded the Egypt Study Circle in 1935. The Egypt circle was the first philatelic study circle to be established anywhere in the world and following a paper given to the 1938 Philatelic Congress of Great Britain titled "Organisation of a Study Circle", many other collectors were inspired to establish study circles in their own areas of specialism.

During the Second World War, Byam's home in Guernsey was requisitioned for the use of German officers, and all his philatelic trophies and medals were stolen. They were never recovered. Fortunately, Byam's stamp collection remained in England and was safe. It was sold by auction in 1961.

Philatelic honours Byam received many philatelic honours. In 1931 the RPSL awarded him the Tapling Medal for his research into the postage due stamps of Egypt and in 1956 the Tilleard Medal for his display of the 1872–75 postage stamps of that country. He also won nine gold medals at international philatelic exhibitions.

Byam was the first foreigner to be appointed a "Member of Honour" by the Societe Philatelique d'Egypte. He was a fellow of the Society of Postal Historians and president of the Oriental Philatelic Association of London.

Death Byam died 25 October 1963. He was survived by his wife and two of his daughters.

Selected publications Trench Fever, a louse-borne disease. With … a Summary of the Report of the American Trench Fever Commission by Lieut. R.H. Vercoe. Henry Frowde; Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1919. Practice of medicine in the tropics, by many authorities.... (Editor with Robert George Archibald) (Three volumes) Dr Byam in Harley Street: An autobiography. Bles, London, 1962. The Road to Harley Street. Bles, London, 1963.