A tribute to David Galton

HEART UK are sad to report the death earlier this year of David Galton, Emeritus Professor of Medicine of London University, aged 86. He was Chairman of HEART UK from 1999 to 2001.

After qualifying at UCH in 1960 and completing his house jobs, he undertook research in the USA at the NIH in Bethesda and Tufts University in Boston and then, after he returned to London, at the Hammersmith. These experiences provided the sound scientific basis that underpinned his pioneering research in the emerging field of the molecular genetics of dyslipidaemia and diabetes, which he undertook while he was a consultant physician at Barts. He was the recipient of various scientific awards both in the UK and Europe, including an Erasmus European Professorship. Furthermore, his in vitro studies of compactin, published together with John Betteridge and John Reckless in The Lancet in 1978, provided one of the earliest demonstrations of the potential of statins for treating FH.

He mentored numerous young doctors during his career - many of which have figured prominently in establishing the BHA to British Hyperlipidaemia Association and latterly HEART UK.

In addition, he had a very enquiring mind and was way ahead of the field as a clinician in introducing molecular genetics into the study of metabolic diseases- Dyslipidaemias and Diabetes in particular.

David was the author of several books on genetics but had numerous interests other than science, including music, literature and skiing. He was both likeable and erudite and he will be sorely missed by his relatives, friends and colleagues.