Charles Thurstan Holland

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Born(1863-03-00)March 1863
Died16 January 1941(1941-01-16) (aged 77)
Yearsactive1896–1941
Charles Thurstan Holland
Holland in 1932
Born(1863-03-00)March 1863
Died16 January 1941(1941-01-16) (aged 77)
Occupationgeneral practitioner
Years active1896–1941
Known forPioneer in radiology

Charles Thurstan Holland[a] TD DL FRCS (March 1863 – 16 January 1941) was an English general practitioner in Liverpool who was best known by his pioneering research in the field of radiology.[2] The Thurstan Holland sign is named after him.[3]

Charles Thurstan Holland was born in March 1863 at Bridgwater, Somerset, to William Thomas Holland and his wife, Florence Holland (née Florence Du Val), the second daughter of painter Charles Allen Du Val.[4]

First X-ray taken by Holland, of his own hand. (Liverpool, 1896)
Holland (sitting in the middle) and friends at the Northern Photographic Exhibition, Liverpool (1908)
House where Thurstan lived at 43 Rodney Street, Liverpool
Plaque in front of the house, note the incorrect spelling of "Thurstan"

He studied medicine at the University College London, qualifying in 1888. From October 1896 to 1904 he was honorary radiologist to the Royal Liverpool Hospital and from 1904 to 1923 to the Liverpool Royal Infirmary.

He started research on radiology in 1896, after reading about Wilhelm Röntgen's experiments in this field. Thanks to his meticulous work and advancements in his technique, Holland was able to produce radiographs that were far in advance for many years, compared to the standard practice.[3] Along with such names as Heinrich Albers-Schönberg (Germany), Antoine Béclère (France), Etienne Henrard (Belgium), Guido Holzknecht and Robert Kienböck (Austria), Thurstan Holland is considered one of the pioneers in Europe.[5]

Holland took part in the First World War as a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and his abilities as radiologist were invaluable in treating patients with bullets lodged in their bodies.[2] By the end of the war, a number of proposals on how to measure the intensity of x-rays had been made, but there was little agreement between the various parties concerned.[6] In 1925 the British Institute of Radiology, under Holland's leadership[7][8] invited delegates from a number of countries to attend the First International Congress on Radiation in London. This congress set up a framework for future meetings — future congresses would meet every three years in a different country, and be organised by the host country.

Thurstan Holland was also a talented photographer, being elected the first president of the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographers' Society.[2]

He died on 16 January 1941 in Liverpool.[2]

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