The Stanley Melville Memorial Lectures 1937–1945

Abstract 

The Archibald Reid Memorial Competition theses have been précised in a previous edition of Radiography (Vol 11 Issue 3 Aug 2005). A great deal of information about the development of the profession and techniques was highlighted. In this edition (Vol 12 Issue 1 February 2006) we have looked at the Stanley Melville Memorial Lectures from 1937 to 1945. Unfortunately the First lecture, which took place in 1937, was not published.

Eminent speakers, radiologists, radiographers, physicists and industrialists presented papers based on the background of radiography or radiotherapy of that period. There was obviously no point in reprinting the full lecture/paper but in selecting interesting information, quotations and ideas it was hoped to stimulate further reading and to continue the database.

The exercise was also undertaken to show the progress made from the beginning to the present day procedures and practice. It will be seen that some of the concepts we hold today were in fact outlined 50 or 60 years ago. The other important thing to note is how the enthusiasm and foresight which people like Stanley Melville exhibited, has brought radiology and radiography, and radiologists and radiographers to the present. Seven of the Melville lectures appear in this paper and those delivered between 1946 and 1950 will form the basis of the next paper in the series.

Keywords: Special lectures, Professional development, Early years, Pioneers, Basic physics, Radiation biology