The Remarkable Life of William Farr

Dear students you are invited to Dr Eardley and a few colleagues tell the story of William Farr, a man born in poverty in Shropshire but rose to become the Father of Medical Statistics, and through this help improve health and wellbeing of the Nation. He worked in our Hospital for over two years in the early 1800’s and so is probably our most influential Alumnus.

Below, provides a short biography which will be covered during the evening.

Buffet and drinks reception from 1700 hr Thursday 30th November, talk starting approx. 1930 hrs. The event is free and is being held at SECC (RSH site).

It should be a fun evening !!

Best wishes

Kevin

The purpose of this meeting is to celebrate the life and work of William Farr on the 210th Anniversary of his birth. His story is narrated by Dr Kevin Eardley (Consultant at Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals) and Prof Derek Willis (Medical Director of Telford's Severn Hospice) will be playing the role of William Farr. To help illuminate his story and his legacy we also have other special guests.

Born in 1807 to a poor family in Kenly, Shropshire he was adopted at a young age and lived his formative years in Dorrington. He was hugely influenced by people who supported him during his childhood including a Dr Webster who arranged for him to work as an apprentice in the Shrewsbury Infirmary. He worked there for over two years before then progressing his medical education in France and Switzerland. It was there that he developed his interest and talent in medical statistics. He returned to Shrewsbury to work in the Infirmary for a further 6 months before moving to London.

For the next 40 years of his life he proved to be a social reformer and determined to improve the health and wellbeing of the Nation through the use of medical statistics. As compiler of abstracts at the General Registry Office (Somerset House) he was in a unique position to analyze the health of the population. He was also able to influence what data was collected, such as in the Census, and implement systems that surveyed the health of the nation, which ultimately led to the field of Epidemiology. One of his legacies comes from his implementation of the first classification system of causes of death and disease. Through analysis he was able to demonstrate inequalities in health outcome, indicate their cause, and fought to have them addressed. His work proved highly influential and helped instruct legislation, such as the Public Health Act, and Sanitary Commissions.

Whilst in London his work definitively proved that contaminated water was the cause of Cholera epidemics. This was at the time when the field of microbiology had not been established. His relationship with John Snow is a contentious one, and it is John Snow and not William Farr that is best remembered in the discovery of Cholera being waterborne. But it was in fact William Farr whose work enabled the case to be proven.

Another interesting story is his very close relationship with Florence Nightingale. Letters between them demonstrate their common passion for statistics and mutual respect. He helped her develop the statistical evidence proving the importance of hygiene and nursing skill in improving health outcomes in military and non-military hospitals. He contributed to a Commission looking at the health outcomes of Military Hospitals in India on the advice of Florence Nightingale. Army Medical Service reform came from their work, and its effects are experienced by our Armed Forces today,

One of the aims of the meeting is to launch a number of developments in his name. We will be announcing the start of an annual William Farr Award for best Quality Improvement Project and an annual William Farr Lecture championing services that aim to improve the health and well-being of our local population. We will also be announcing that in the new year will be advertising for William Farr Clinical Fellows, who whilst working in our hospitals will learn statistical and quality improvement skills necessary for a successful career in medicine.

I do hope you can come to the meeting. It is a Free Event but we have limited places available so please confirm attendance on Twitter @ShropWillFarr.