William Dobinson Halliburton
Encyclopedia
William Dobinson Halliburton FRS (21 June 1860 Middlesex
- 21 May 1931 Exeter
) was a British physiologist, noted for being one of the founders of the science of biochemistry
.
William was one of four children (three sisters) born to Thomas Gill Halliburton and Mary Strachan Homan of Middlesex
. He was educated at the University College School
and later at the University College London
, obtaining a BSc
in 1879. On his MRCS
in 1883 he was appointed Assistant in Physiology at the University College under Sir Edward Sharpey-Schafer. His MD
followed in 1884, his membership of the Royal College of Physicians
a year later and his Fellowship in 1892. Halliburton succeeded Gerald Francis Yeo (1845–1909), to the chair of Physiology at King's College
in 1889. Over the period of 34 years at King's College he was deeply involved in its administration and was dean of the Faculty of Medical Science for many years. In 1923 his chronic ill-health obliged him to resign from the chair and accept the sinecure of Emeritus Professor.
During his tenure at King's College, he assembled a research team, many of whom later became distinguished clinicians, including such figures as Thomas Gregor Brodie (1866-1916), Frank S. Locke, Sir Charles James Martin
(1866-1955), Sir Frederick Walker Mott
(1853–1926), Walter Ernest Dixon
(1871–1931), Sigmund Otto Rosenheim (1871–1955) and Corrado Donato Da Fano (1879-1927). He and Rosenheim discovered that cholesterol
was not pure, but contained ergosterol
which led to the formation of vitamin D
under ultra-violet light. Halliburton's first laboratory was improvised in a disused corridor, but nonetheless became the meeting place of the keenest minds in the infant science of biochemistry. His early research centered on the proteins making up muscle and blood, leading to his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1891. Together with Walter Ernest Dixon
he studied cerebral circulation
and cerebro-spinal fluid. During this time he helped found the Biochemical Society
of which he was the sole honorary member.
Halliburton's name was a celebrated one in the field of medical literature. His writings were detailed and lucid, resulting in textbooks which were valued by students all over the world. The first of these was his "Textbook of Chemical Physiology and Pathology" published in 1891, in which he assembled all knowledge of the subject at the time. He rewrote "Kirkes
' Physiology" completely in 1896 so that it subsequently, through its numerous editions, became known as "Halliburton's Physiology" and an indispensable reference work for legions of medical students. It became popular enough for an American publisher to flout copyright laws and to publish and sell unauthorised editions.
Halliburton died after falling ill on a holiday to Cornwall
, forcing him to have an unsuccessful operation at an Exeter clinic.
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
- 21 May 1931 Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
) was a British physiologist, noted for being one of the founders of the science of biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
.
William was one of four children (three sisters) born to Thomas Gill Halliburton and Mary Strachan Homan of Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. He was educated at the University College School
University 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 later at the University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, obtaining a BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
in 1879. On his MRCS
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
MRCS is a professional qualification for surgeons in the UK and IrelandIt means Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In the United Kingdom, doctors who gain this qualification traditionally no longer use the title 'Dr' but start to use the title 'Mr', 'Mrs', 'Miss' or 'Ms'.There are 4 surgical...
in 1883 he was appointed Assistant in Physiology at the University College under Sir Edward Sharpey-Schafer. His MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
followed in 1884, his membership 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...
a year later and his Fellowship in 1892. Halliburton succeeded Gerald Francis Yeo (1845–1909), to the chair of Physiology at King's College
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
in 1889. Over the period of 34 years at King's College he was deeply involved in its administration and was dean of the Faculty of Medical Science for many years. In 1923 his chronic ill-health obliged him to resign from the chair and accept the sinecure of Emeritus Professor.
During his tenure at King's College, he assembled a research team, many of whom later became distinguished clinicians, including such figures as Thomas Gregor Brodie (1866-1916), Frank S. Locke, Sir Charles James Martin
Charles James Martin
Charles James Martin, FRS, FRCS was a British scientist who did seminal work on protein denaturation, nutrition, snake toxins and other medical topics...
(1866-1955), Sir Frederick Walker Mott
Frederick Walker Mott
Sir Frederick Walker Mott FRS was one of the pioneers of biochemistry in Britain. He is noted for his work in neuropathology and endocrine glands in relation to mental disorder, and consequently as psychiatrist and sociologist...
(1853–1926), Walter Ernest Dixon
Walter Ernest Dixon
Walter Ernest Dixon FRS was a British pharmacologist.He was born in Darlington, County Durham and educated at school in Darlington and at Dulwich, gaining a Science Entrance Scholarship to St. Thomas's Hospital in 1890. He later obtained degrees from both London University and Cambridge...
(1871–1931), Sigmund Otto Rosenheim (1871–1955) and Corrado Donato Da Fano (1879-1927). He and Rosenheim discovered that cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
was not pure, but contained ergosterol
Ergosterol
Ergosterol is a sterol found in fungi, and named for ergot, a common name for the members of the fungal genus Claviceps from which ergosterol was first isolated. Ergosterol does not occur in plant or animal cells...
which led to the formation of vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique both because it functions as a prohormone and because the body can synthesize it when sun exposure is adequate ....
under ultra-violet light. Halliburton's first laboratory was improvised in a disused corridor, but nonetheless became the meeting place of the keenest minds in the infant science of biochemistry. His early research centered on the proteins making up muscle and blood, leading to his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1891. Together with Walter Ernest Dixon
Walter Ernest Dixon
Walter Ernest Dixon FRS was a British pharmacologist.He was born in Darlington, County Durham and educated at school in Darlington and at Dulwich, gaining a Science Entrance Scholarship to St. Thomas's Hospital in 1890. He later obtained degrees from both London University and Cambridge...
he studied cerebral circulation
Cerebral circulation
Cerebral circulation refers to the movement of blood through the network of blood vessels supplying the brain. The arteries deliver oxygenated blood, glucose and other nutrients to the brain and the veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, removing carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and other...
and cerebro-spinal fluid. During this time he helped found the Biochemical Society
Biochemical Society
The Biochemical Society is a learned society in the United Kingdom in the field of biochemistry, including all the cellular and molecular biosciences.-Structure:...
of which he was the sole honorary member.
Halliburton's name was a celebrated one in the field of medical literature. His writings were detailed and lucid, resulting in textbooks which were valued by students all over the world. The first of these was his "Textbook of Chemical Physiology and Pathology" published in 1891, in which he assembled all knowledge of the subject at the time. He rewrote "Kirkes
William Senhouse Kirkes
William Senhouse Kirkes was an English physiologist noted for his reference work "Kirkes' Physiology" which first appeared in 1848....
' Physiology" completely in 1896 so that it subsequently, through its numerous editions, became known as "Halliburton's Physiology" and an indispensable reference work for legions of medical students. It became popular enough for an American publisher to flout copyright laws and to publish and sell unauthorised editions.
Halliburton died after falling ill on a holiday to Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, forcing him to have an unsuccessful operation at an Exeter clinic.