Charles McNeil (physician)

Charles McNeil (1881–1964) was a physician specialising in paediatrics. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of both London and Edinburgh. He was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1940-1943.

Charles McNeil was born on September 21, 1881 to Dr William McNeil, a general practitioner. He was educated at George Watson's College and Edinburgh University where he graduated MA in 1901 and MB with First Class Honours in 1905. In 1908 McNeil was appointed assistant physician at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children and was later appointed paediatrician to the Royal Maternity Hospital. McNeil was elected Fellow of the RCPE in 1913. At the outset of World War I, he joined the Scottish Branch of the British Red Cross Society and from 1915-1918 was in command of the hospital at Rouen.

In 1919, Charles McNeil married Alice Workman.

After World War I, McNeil returned to the Sick Children's Hospital and also conducted a lectureship in children's diseases at the University of Edinburgh. On his retirement, Professor McNeil was given the honorary degree of LL.D of Edinburgh.

McNeil was appointed Chair of Child Life and Health at Edinburgh University. He also made attendance at the Sick Children's Hospital compulsory for medical students in their final year. McNeil joined the Simpson Maternity Hospital in 1934 and under his tutelage the Simpson experienced decreased mortality and morbidity rates.

McNeil was appointed President of the British Paediatric Association in 1941 and was also President of the Scottish Paediatric Association. He was President of the RCPE from 1940-1943. From 1939-1945, McNeil engaged in the planning of the NHS.

He died on April 27, 1964.

In 1967, £1,500 was gifted to the RCPE for a lectureship in memory of former President Dr Charles McNeil to cover any aspect of child life and health including education. The endowed lecture is to be carried out at the discretion of the council.