Professor B. C. Leighton

Abstract

Professor Barry Leighton, who was born on 29th August 1920, died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, in the early hours of Sunday, 20th October 2002, after a long period of physical incapacity. He qualified in 1943 at King’s College Hospital, London, where he also met his future wife, Diana, who was nursing. Some of his early work was carried out in Birmingham with Humphries and continued when he returned to King’s—where he undertook his massive research projects in longtitudinal studies. These constitute the only study of the kind in the British Isles including serial cephalometric radiographs, and are probably unlikely to be repeated. He came to be head of Orthodontics at King’s and in 1968 was appointed Professor of Orthodontics in the University of London. Many will have passed through his hands as students and many others will have known him through his works and societies. In 1954 in conjunction with Professor Tom White of Glasgow and Jim Gardiner of Sheffield he produced the first much needed textbook to be published in Britain on orthodontics for dental students. This has maintained its popularity and it is now also used in India. Previously orthodontics had only been included in major texts as just another part of the practice of dentistry. Barry always had an interest in history and published papers on the early history of the British Society for the Study of Orthodontics (BSSO). Since the mid 90s he also produced the original drafts for many chapters in the recently published history of the British orthodontic societies. He was intimately associated with the BSSO and served on the Council, becoming Secretary and President and eventually an Honorary Member and the recipient of the Special Service Award. More recently he was President of the British Orthodontic Society. He was also a long time member of the European Orthodontic Society and maintained close contact with many members, particularly the members of the AngloScandinavian Orthodontic Study Circle. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm which he valued greatly. The abiding memory of Barry is of a modest, quiet, gentle man with total integrity who was always ready to help colleagues. However, you would be unwise if you presumed, for there was a steadfast will and constancy below the surface, coupled with a wry sense of humour, a gentle smile and sparkling eyes. We extend our sincere sympathy to his widow Di and to his children and grandchildren. Alan C. Campbell Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 30, 2003, 97