| Description | Douglas James Acworth Kerr was born in Bradford in 1894, and was educated at St Paul’s School, London. His father was James Kerr, a Scottish doctor who was a physician in Bradford and later Medical Officer (Education) to the London County Council. His mother was Elizabeth Kerr. He began studying medicine however the first world war broke out, so he enlisted before returning to his studies in 1918 and graduating in 1920, MB ChB. In 1922 he obtained DPH and in 1927 MD as well as being elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh.
He was the assistant of Professor Harvey Littlejohn, who died in 1927. During this time he assisted him both at the university and as surgeon to the police. After Littlejohn’s death he was interim surgeon, before being elected as casualty surgeon and medical referee by a majority in 1929. He was also the Lecturer in forensic medicine at the extra mural school. In 1953 he was appointed Regis Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He was a treasurer of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. He wrote multiple editions of Forensic medicine: a text-book for students and a guide for the practitioner during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. He married Phylis in 1935 and had children. He died in 1960.
Application of Douglas J A Kerr for the post of Casualty Police Surgeon and Medical Referee to the City of Edinburgh, 1927. |