OBITUARY

Abstract

THE AMERICAN Academy of Pediatrics has suffered a great loss in the death of one of its past presidents, Dr. Edward Clay Mitchell of Memphis, who died February 1, 1955, at the age of 73 after an illness of 15 years. He was one of the pioneer pediatricians of the South and exercised a tremendous influence in helping establish pediatrics as a major specialty not only in this area but nationally. He will be long remembered by his many friends because of his active participation in the progress of pediatrics and also because of his strong personality and good fellowship. Most of all he will live in the memory of many parents and their children, now grown, whom he treated through the years with such high professional ability and such personal interest. Dr. Mitchell was born in Corinth, Illinois, the son of a surgeon, and his grandfather and other members of the family were doctors. His brother, Dr. John M. Mitchell of Evanston, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He attended West Point for 3 years and later graduated in medicine from Northwestern University. His postgraduate training in pediatrics was at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, and in Vienna. The years at West Pont undoubtedly left a lasting impression on Dr. Mitchell, for he was noted for his erect carriage, almost military bearing, and his strong qualities of leadership. He maintained an open mind and paid courteous attention to suggestions, but he was a most decisive person and a man of action. When he was in charge of anything there was seldom any doubt as to who was the leader and he tackled all assignments with amazing energy. When his formal medical training was finished, Dr. Mitchell established a thriving pediatric practice in Memphis in 1908, where he was almost the first person to limit his work to the care of children.