Biography of Alexander James Smith McFadzean

Alexander James Smith McFadzean graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MBChB in 1936 and an MD in 1959. He was Senior Lecturer of Medicine at the University of Glasgow from 1945 to 1948 and Professor of Medicine at Hong Kong University from 1948 to 1974, and Emeritus Professor thereafter.

Born at Troon in 1914, McFadzean studied Medicine at the University, graduating with honours in 1936 and the Brunton Memorial Prize as the most distinguished graduate of medicine that year.

McFadzean worked in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Hawkhead Mental Hospital, and Anlaby Road Hospital, Hull, until the outbreak of World War II. He volunteered for service with the Royal Army Medical Corps, reaching the rank of Major.

From 1945 to 1948 McFadzean was Lecturer and later Senior Lecturer of Medicine at the University of Glasgow. A Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London from 1946, McFadzean was elected a Fellow in 1956, as well as Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh and Australasia, the American College of Physicians and Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.

His successes continued with the University awarding him MD with Honours and the Bellahouston Gold Medal, for his thesis:On the production of plasma fibronolytic activity within veins. He was also awarded an OBE in 1964 and an honorary DSc by Hong Kong University in 1970.

McFadzean was distinguished for his work on diseases of the liver and blood, and for his contribution to the development of medical knowledge, training and research in Hong Kong, where he was Professor of Medicine, Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for almost three decades. McFadzean was elected the first Honorary Life Member of the Hong Kong Medical Association.

Sources

Archival Materials

• DC225/1/34 Final Year Medicine Students Dinner Book 1931-36

Summary

Alexander James Smith McFadzean
Born 1914.
Died 29 November 1974.
GU Degrees: MB ChB, 1936; Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, MD, 1959;
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate, Lecturer
Occupation categories: educators; physicians
English snippet: Medical graduate of the University of Glasgow, first Honorary Life Member of the Hong Kong Medical Association
Record last updated: 4th Sep 2017

Country Associations

Scotland, Troon
Place of Birth

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

University Connections

University Roles

• Alumnus
• Graduate
• Lecturer

Images

Alexander J S McFadzean, MBChB 1936