Charles Alexander MacMunn

Dr Charles Alexander MacMunn (11 April 1852 - 18 February 1911) was the first to describe the respiratory pigment in blood, known today as Cytochrome1. It was one of the most significant discoveries made by an Irish doctor.

MacMunn was born on 11 April 1852 in Easkey, County Sligo, Ireland, the son of James MacMunn MD.

He was educated at Trinity College Dublin, graduating BA with honours in 1871, MB in 1872, MD in 1875. He moved to Wolverhampton in 1873 to work within his cousin's practice, subsequently taking over the practice on his cousins death. He had a loft of his stable converted to a laboratory work he could carry out work on his spectroscopy when not otherwise engaged with the practice.

He was the author of numerous papers on medicine, physiology and biology. His seminal paper was published in 1880 entitled "The Spectroscope in Medicine". Serious criticism of his work led to it being discredited at the time, over 40 years later work by David Keilin using similar equipment vindicated MacMunnn's work. He was appointed Honorary Pathologist and Physician to the General Hospital Wolverhampton in 1889.

Following his difficulties in the vindication of his work MacMunn subsequently had a distinguished career as a Medical Officer in the military. His military career took him to South Africa, he was appointed Staff-Officer to the Royal Hospital Commissions during the Boer War. He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Queens South Africa medal with three clasps. He retired in 1909, and ill health led to his death on the 18 February 1911.