50th Anniversary Reunion

In my previous bios, I summarised my move straight from the Maths/Nat Phil class to what in 1966 became the University of Glasgow Department of Medical Cardiology where I obtained a PhD in electrocardiography. I have maintained my interest in the field of computer based interpretation of ECGs until the present time. I saved enough money to bribe the relevant promotion committee to appoint me Titular Professor in Medical Cardiology in 1991, followed by a name change to a Personal Professorship of Electrocardiology in1995, both at the University of Glasgow. Having used my money for bribes, I could not afford to move away and remained on the University staff (since 1967) until finally, in 2010, the University asked if I would step aside so that my salary could be used to support someone else who had been employed on grant monies. I agreed and moved to being Emeritus Professor and Hon. Senior Research Fellow with an agreement to continue managing my research group based in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

I was lucky enough to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh through the support of the late Professor Ian Sneddon, and also managed to become a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, both around 1992. In 2000, I obtained a DSc for my contributions to my research field and in 2002 was appointed a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (ad eundem) – I think that's Latin for “by the back door”! In the 2014 New Year Honours List, I was honoured with a CBE and enjoyed the visit with some of the family to Buckingham Palace for the presentation by the present King.

My work has continued to concentrate in two areas. The first has been in directing ECG analysis in large population studies and clinical trials such as the landmark West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study, which was the first study to show the benefits of cholesterol lowering in middle aged males without a previous heart attack. I was also involved in a local and a national study on the effects of Covid on the heart. The second area has been in leading a team developing software for automated ECG analysis which is licensed by the University for incorporation in equipment sold worldwide by over 20 companies based in Europe, USA, China, South Korea and India. In 2011, I completed a new edition of Comprehensive Electrocardiology, which this time stretched to 4 volumes with probably around 4 sales, and then organised the 40th International Congress on Electrocardiology held in the University in August 2013. I could add that I still have a small teaching commitment to bioengineering and medical students.

I have been happily married to Irene for 52 years and we are still content to live in Bridge of Weir. Our two sons, Alan - now Hon Professor of Anaesthesia at Glasgow based in the Royal Infirmary, and David - consultant endocrinologist in Raigmore, fled the nest quite some time ago and remain married, also to doctors. We have one 21 year old grandson and his 19 year old sister both studying medicine at Glasgow, and three other granddaughters aged 12, 14, and 16.  Family conversation still revolves around the misfortunes of Ayr United who remain in the Championship! I continue to keep sane by running around the (very definitely!) increasingly steep local hills every Sunday when at home, and the cattle still dive for cover when they see me in order to avoid conversation! I was very pleased and fortunate enough to have been able to complete the Glasgow half marathon last October 2023, though I hesitate to admit that my grandson took one hour less than I did, indicating that he took one minute less for every year of the difference in our ages! Tempus fugit…….