Thomas Ferguson (physician)

Thomas Ferguson FRSE CBE (23 May 1900 – 1 May 1977) was a Scottish surgeon and Professor of Public Health from 1944 to 1964 at Glasgow University. Much of his early writing and philosophy paved the way for the National Health Service in Britain after the Second World War.

He was born on 23 May 1900 the son of Alexander Gray Ferguson.

He attended Edinburgh University graduating MB ChB in 1922. He received a Diploma in Public Health in 1923 and his doctorate (MD) in 1924 aged only 24. He worked as Assistant Medical Officer of Health in Stirling then briefly moved to England for a similar role in Darlington. He served as part as HM Medical Inspector of Factories for the Home Office 1929-1930, during the rise of Health and Safety concerns in the workplace. He was also Chairman of the Committee on Carcenogenic Action of Mineral Oils and Chairman of the General Nursing Council, Scotland. He was an honorary Consultant Physician at both the Glasgow Western Infirmary and Falkirk Royal Infirmary.

In 1932 Edinburgh University granted him an honorary doctorate (DSc). In 1933 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Alexander Gray McKendrick, William Frederick Harvey, William Ogilvy Kermack, and William Glen Liston.

From 1933 to 1944 he worked for the Scottish Department of Health, mainly on policy issues, before being offered Professor of Public Health by Glasgow University in 1944, where he stayed until retiral.

During the Second World War he was Medical Superintendent in charge of Gleneagles Hospital, the famous hotel being converted to hospital use during the war.

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