Denis Browne: colleague (1892-1967).
The purpose of this character study is not to assess the achievements of this great paediatric surgeon but to describe this extraordinary, adventurous, rebellious and difficult man, his intelligence, intellectual curiosity and intense interest in technical problems, as well as his bluntness of manner which was confusing and irritating to some of his colleagues. Denis Browne is described as a shy and sensitive nature, which made it difficult for him to establish ordinary human relationships, but also as a strangely aloof colleague with a flair for clothes, remarkable skills at riding, shooting, tennis, billiard and golf, and much admired by his juniors. Denis Browne is also described as a demon for work, a man who had the courage of his convictions and acted upon them. Those who understood him admired him to the point of idolatry but he was also considered as the supreme egotist not giving an inch in discussions and overriding many of his colleagues, making enemies of them as he went and then deeming himself greatly wronged by lack of recognition. With a more modest approach he might have had an easy life with his genius acclaimed by everyone, rather than a life of struggle against ignorance and prejudice which, all at the same, he greatly enjoyed.
D004739:England; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000266:history