Rob Buckman
Encyclopedia
Robert Alexander Amiel "Rob" Buckman (August 22, 1948 – October 9, 2011) was a British
-Canadian doctor of medicine, comedian
and author, and president of the Humanist Association of Canada
. He first appeared in a Cambridge University Footlights
Revue in 1969, and subsequently presented several television and radio programmes about medicine, as well as appearing on comedy programmes such as Just a Minute
. He was also the author of many popular books on medicine.
and graduated in medicine from Cambridge University in 1972. He continued his medical training at the Royal Marsden Hospital and University College Hospital
, London
, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
.
Buckman was a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4
during the 1970s and 1980s, both on panel shows, and fronting one-off programmes on scientific topics. He contributed scripts to the sitcom Doctor on the Go
, based on the Richard Gordon books, and also acted in the Pink Medicine Show comedy show. He also was one of the performers and writers of the first Secret Policeman's Ball
fundraiser in 1979, with Billy Connolly
, John Cleese
and Eleanor Bron
.
Rob Buckman was more distinguished as a popular science presenter and appeared on the programme Don't Ask Me
in the 1970s, and then the medical programme Where There's Life with Miriam Stoppard
for its first three series from 1981. He continued this career in Canada where he contributed to TV Ontario programmes such as Your Health and the CTV
medical show Balance. His television series Magic or Medicine? investigated alternative medicine
and won a Gemini award
, while Human Wildlife covered microbes in the domestic environment.
He was a member of the Atheists team on CBC Test the Nation
: IQ broadcast live on January 24, 2010.
, asthma
, high blood pressure, HRT
, (all 1999), diabetes, stroke
, and irritable bowel syndrome
(2000). This was also the title of a long-running series of information films that he presented, and in many cases also scripted, for John Cleese's production company Video Arts
.
, an autoimmune disease which seriously affected his ability to work and was nearly fatal. His illness and recovery over the next couple of years was the subject of a 1981 UK TV documentary, Your Own Worst Enemy.
, Canada, in 1985 and initially stayed with his cousin, journalist Barbara Amiel
. In 1994 Buckman was named Canada’s Humanist of the Year. He was a signer of Humanist Manifesto
2000. He was president of the Humanist Association of Canada
, and Chair of the Advisory Board on Bioethics of the International Humanist and Ethical Union
. His main popular work in humanism
was Can We Be Good Without God? Biology, Behaviour and the Need to Believe.
Buckman practised medical oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto)
. He was a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto
, and held an adjunct professorship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in the U.S. state of Texas. He specialised in breast cancer
and teaching communication skills in oncology.
In 2006 he began writing a weekly column in the Globe and Mail.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
-Canadian doctor of medicine, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and author, and president of the Humanist Association of Canada
Humanist Association of Canada
Humanist Canada is a national not-for-profit charitable organization promoting the separation of religion from public policy and fostering the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support...
. He first appeared in a Cambridge University Footlights
Footlights
Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, commonly referred to simply as the Footlights, is an amateur theatrical club in Cambridge, England, founded in 1883 and run by the students of Cambridge University....
Revue in 1969, and subsequently presented several television and radio programmes about medicine, as well as appearing on comedy programmes such as Just a Minute
Just a Minute
Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Its first transmission on Radio 4 was on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The Radio 4 programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003....
. He was also the author of many popular books on medicine.
Broadcasting and comedy
Buckman attended University College SchoolUniversity College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
and graduated in medicine from Cambridge University in 1972. He continued his medical training at the Royal Marsden Hospital and University College Hospital
University College Hospital
University College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
.
Buckman was a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
during the 1970s and 1980s, both on panel shows, and fronting one-off programmes on scientific topics. He contributed scripts to the sitcom Doctor on the Go
Doctor in the House (TV series)
Doctor in the House is the syndicated title given, by the United States, to a British television comedy series , based on a set of books and a movie of the same name by Richard Gordon about the misadventures of a group of medical students — and their later misadventures as doctors.The first...
, based on the Richard Gordon books, and also acted in the Pink Medicine Show comedy show. He also was one of the performers and writers of the first Secret Policeman's Ball
The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)
The Secret Policeman's Ball took place over four consecutive nights in London in June 1979. It was a successor to the 1976 show A Poke In The Eye and the 1977 show The Mermaid Frolics.The show was directed by Monty Python alumnus John Cleese and producers Martin Lewis and Peter Walker...
fundraiser in 1979, with Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
, John Cleese
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
and Eleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron is an English stage, film and television actress and author.-Early life and family:Bron was born in 1938 in Stanmore, Middlesex, to a Jewish family of Eastern European origin...
.
Rob Buckman was more distinguished as a popular science presenter and appeared on the programme Don't Ask Me
Don't Ask Me (TV programme)
Don't Ask Me was a popular British television science show made by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network and ran from 1974 to 1978. It attempted to answer science-based questions and contributors included Magnus Pyke , Rob Buckman , David Bellamy , Miriam Stoppard , and Derek Griffiths...
in the 1970s, and then the medical programme Where There's Life with Miriam Stoppard
Miriam Stoppard
Miriam Stoppard OBE , is a British doctor, author, television presenter and agony aunt.- Early life and medical career :...
for its first three series from 1981. He continued this career in Canada where he contributed to TV Ontario programmes such as Your Health and the CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
medical show Balance. His television series Magic or Medicine? investigated alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
and won a Gemini award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
, while Human Wildlife covered microbes in the domestic environment.
He was a member of the Atheists team on CBC Test the Nation
Test the Nation
Test the Nation is a television programme, first broadcast in 2001 by BNN in the Netherlands where the concept is owned by Eyeworks Holding who license it to TV production companies around the world.-Show format:...
: IQ broadcast live on January 24, 2010.
Writings in popular medicine
Besides tie-ins to his TV series, Buckman authored several books of medical humour, such as Out of Practice (1978), Jogging from Memory: or letters to Sigmund Freud (1980), and The Buckman Treatment; or a doctor's tour in North America (1989). Later, as Robert Buckman, he contributed as author or co-author to a series of What You Really Need to Know About... books on common medical conditions, including cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, high blood pressure, HRT
HRT
-Medical:* Habit reversal training* Heart rate turbulence* Hormone replacement therapy , for women* Hormone replacement therapy , for men* Hormone replacement therapy , for trans women...
, (all 1999), diabetes, stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, and irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements...
(2000). This was also the title of a long-running series of information films that he presented, and in many cases also scripted, for John Cleese's production company Video Arts
Video Arts
Video Arts is a British based video production company which produces training videos for companies. It was founded in 1972 by John Cleese, Sir Antony Jay, and a group of other television professionals. The videos feature well known British actors, and humorously explain business concepts...
.
Medical hiatus
In 1979, Buckman was diagnosed with dermatomyositisDermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a connective-tissue disease related to polymyositis and Bramaticosis that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.- Causes :...
, an autoimmune disease which seriously affected his ability to work and was nearly fatal. His illness and recovery over the next couple of years was the subject of a 1981 UK TV documentary, Your Own Worst Enemy.
Later career
Buckman emigrated to TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada, in 1985 and initially stayed with his cousin, journalist Barbara Amiel
Barbara Amiel
Barbara Joan Estelle Amiel, Baroness Black of Crossharbour is a British-Canadian journalist, writer, and socialite. She is also the wife of former media baron and convicted felon Conrad Black.-Early life:...
. In 1994 Buckman was named Canada’s Humanist of the Year. He was a signer of Humanist Manifesto
Humanist Manifesto
Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a Humanist worldview. They are the original Humanist Manifesto , the Humanist Manifesto II , and Humanism and Its Aspirations...
2000. He was president of the Humanist Association of Canada
Humanist Association of Canada
Humanist Canada is a national not-for-profit charitable organization promoting the separation of religion from public policy and fostering the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support...
, and Chair of the Advisory Board on Bioethics of the International Humanist and Ethical Union
International Humanist and Ethical Union
The International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
. His main popular work in humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
was Can We Be Good Without God? Biology, Behaviour and the Need to Believe.
Buckman practised medical oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto)
Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto)
Princess Margaret Hospital is located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada on University Avenue at College Street. It is part of the University Health Network...
. He was a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and held an adjunct professorship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in the U.S. state of Texas. He specialised in breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
and teaching communication skills in oncology.
In 2006 he began writing a weekly column in the Globe and Mail.
Death
Buckman died in his sleep while flying from London to Toronto on October 9, 2011. The cause is unknown. He was 63.Selected publications
- Out of Practice, illustrations by Bill TidyBill TidyWilliam Edward "Bill" Tidy, MBE , is a British cartoonist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips. Bill was awarded an MBE in 2000 for "Services to Journalism". He is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord's Taverners, which he has supported for over...
. Deutsch. 1978. - Medicine Balls Too
- Jogging from Memory. HeinemannHeinemann (book publisher)Heinemann is a UK publishing house founded by William Heinemann in Covent Garden, London in 1890. On William Heinemann's death in 1920 a majority stake was purchased by U.S. publisher Doubleday. It was later acquired by commemorate Thomas Tilling in 1961...
. 1980. - Not dead yet: the unauthorized autobiography of Dr. Robert Buckman, complete with a map, many photographs & irritating footnotes. Doublesday. 1990.
- How To Break Bad News: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. Papermac. 1992.
- Magic or Medicine? An investigation of Healing and Healers (with Karl SabbaghKarl SabbaghKarl Sabbagh is a Palestinian-British writer, journalist and television producer. His work is mainly non-fiction: he has written books about historical events and produced documentaries for both British and American broadcasters....
). Macmillan. 1993. - Human Wildlife: The Life That Lives on Us, Johns Hopkins University PressJohns Hopkins University PressThe Johns Hopkins University Press is the publishing division of the Johns Hopkins University. It was founded in 1878 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running university press in the United States. The Press publishes books, journals, and electronic databases...
, 2003. ISBN 978-0801874079 - What You Really Need to Know About Cancer:A Guide for Patients and their Families. Pan paperback. 1997.
- What You Really Need to Know About Living With Depression
- Who can ever understand? : talking about your cancer with John Elsegood. 1995.
- Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence
- Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe, Prometheus BooksPrometheus BooksPrometheus Books is a publishing company founded in August 1969 by Paul Kurtz, who also founded the Council for Secular Humanism and co-founded the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is currently the chairman of all three organizations. Prometheus Books publishes a range of books, including many...
, 2002. ISBN 978-1573929745 - I Don't Know What To Say - How To Help and Support Someone Who Is Dying 1988.
External links
- University of Toronto biography
- The BBC Guide to Comedy
- Obituary, Toronto Globe and Mail, 11 October 2011
- Obituary, The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, 12 October 2011 - Obituary, The TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, 15 October 2011