1. Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt KCB, MA, MD, ScD, FRS was an English physician best known for his role as president of the British Medical Association 1920, for inventing the clinical thermometer, and for supporting Sir William Osler in founding the History of Medicine Society.
Thomas Clifford Allbutt was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, the son of Rev Thomas Allbutt, Vicar of Dewsbury and his wife Marianne, daughter of Robert Wooler, of Dewsbury.
Clifford Allbutt was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1880, while still practising at Leeds General Infirmary.
Clifford Allbutt was sworn of the Privy Council in 1920.
Clifford Allbutt was married to Susan, daughter of Thomas England, merchant, of Headingley, Leeds, on 15 September 1869.
From 1861 to 1889 Clifford Allbutt was a successful consulting physician in Leeds, when he commissioned Edward Schroeder Prior to design Carr Manor for his residence.
Clifford Allbutt was Physician at the General Infirmary at Leeds where he introduced the ophthalmoscope, weighing machine and microscope to the wards.
Clifford Allbutt was a member of the Council of the Leeds School of Medicine from 1864 to 1884 and its President twice.
In 1870 Clifford Allbutt published Medical Thermometry, an article outlining the history of thermometry and describing his invention: a clinical thermometer approximately 6 inches in length that a physician could have habitually in a pocket.
Clifford Allbutt conducted some of his work at the nearby West Riding Asylum, Wadsley.
Clifford Allbutt found changes in the eye in a large proportion of those diagnosed with old or organic cases of brain disease.
Clifford Allbutt argued use of the ophthalmoscope would help remove 'the metaphysical or transcendental habit of thought' and bring a 'more vigorous and more philosophical mode of investigation' to disorders of the brain.
Clifford Allbutt has been commemorated with a Leeds Civic Trust blue plaque.
Clifford Allbutt was president of the British Medical Association in 1920 and in the same year was admitted a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
Clifford Allbutt was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1922.
Clifford Allbutt continued as regius professor of physic at Cambridge until his death in 1925 when Sir Humphry Rolleston, Physician-in-Ordinary to King George V was elected as his successor.
Clifford Allbutt supported Sir William Osler in the founding of the History of Medicine Society at the Royal Society of Medicine in 1912.